A woman videotaped clinging to a window ledge as a Toronto apartment unit became engulfed in smoke Tuesday morning has been charged with arson.
The video posted on YouTube shows a woman standing on a ledge of the third floor unit of the Fife House, located at 490 Sherbourne Street.
The woman, who appears to have her back against the glass with her hands clinging onto the window sill, can be heard saying “Lord” multiple times before a person in the crowd tells her that help is coming.
Fire crews responded to the scene just before 9 a.m. and located the victim screaming for help as smoke billowed out of the apartment window.
Fire officials said a fire truck ladder was sent up to bring the victim down. Video from the scene shows the woman holding onto a firefighter as they scale down the apparatus.
The woman may have suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital as a precaution, officials said.
The building was evacuated during the rescue operation and a transit bus was requested to shelter residents.
Toronto police spokesman Victor Kwong said the unidentified woman has been charged with arson and that mental health issues may have been involved and the woman was taken to hospital.
Officials said the fire was extinguished shortly after 9 a.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. There’s no word yet on the cost of damages to the building.
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