Toronto Fire Chief Jim Sales resigns

Toronto Fire Chief Jim Sales has resigned his post effective immediately.

Few details have been provided on the reason for Sales’ departure, but the news comes several months after he announced he was taking “personal leave” for undisclosed reasons.

“I can’t address specifics,” spokeswoman Wynna Brown told Global News Friday. “But I can advise that the city of Toronto and the chief have agreed that effective today Mr. Sales will leave his position as fire chief.”

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Brown said she could not comment on allegations reported by CityNews that there were “numerous complaints about his performance and others in the department had lost confidence in him.”

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“Well what I can tell you about rumours is that we are aware of those rumours and that some allegations are circulating from people who have not been involved in the matter,” she said.

“I can say that we can’t get into the specifics of these allegations but we strongly advise that you don’t report on any unsubstantiated allegations. Such speculation can be considered defamatory.”

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Sales joined Toronto Fire Services as chief in 2012 and the city said in a release he led “a number of complex and challenging initiatives” during his time with the service, including updating the Master Fire Plan (2015-2019).

“It’s been an honour to lead Toronto Fire Services for the past four and a half years,” Sales said in a statement.

“I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish. I sincerely hope that our efforts will provide a strong foundation for the Fire Service to continue to excel.”

Deputy Chief Matthew Pegg will continue as interim fire chief while the city holds a “competitive search” for a new fire chief.

Sales could not be reached for comment at his Barrie, Ont. home.