One person has died and four people are in hospital after a three-alarm fire inside an apartment building in downtown Toronto, officials said.
A Toronto Fire Services spokesman told Global News firefighters were called to a Toronto Community Housing-owned apartment on George Street, near Jarvis Street and Dundas Street East, at 5:45 p.m. after security personnel reported seeing flames outside of a fourth floor unit.
After firefighters arrived, crews found heavy smoke on the fourth floor. Firefighters rushed to the unit where the fire, described as “heavily involved” by the spokesman, occurred. The fire spread to a neighbouring unit.
Firefighters had to rescue some residents with the assistance of aerial ladders.
Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg confirmed the fatality during a news conference Thursday evening.
“Our deepest condolences go to the family and friends and all those affected by that loss,” Pegg said, adding Toronto fire prevention officers will be working with the Office of the Fire Marshal to investigate the cause.
Mayor John Tory attended the scene to speak with residents who were evacuated. He said approximately 150 people will be housed overnight in temporary accommodations.
Toronto Paramedics said four people were taken in non-life-threatening condition to area hospitals.
The fire was knocked down just after 6:20 p.m.
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