Man pulled from basement after fire at Toronto home dies in hospital

Toronto Fire Services say a man pulled from the basement of a home in North York following a fire has died.

Emergency crews were called to Mayberry Road, near Jane Street and Sheppard Avenue West, at around 4:10 a.m.

“Upon arrival, our crews were met with fire and smoke emanating in the basement,” Acting Fire Chief Jim Jessop told reporters Wednesday.

“They had some difficulty fighting their way down into that fire.”

Jessop said during their primary search a man was discovered and removed by firefighters.

Paramedics then transported the man to hospital in life-threatening condition. The man was pronounced dead in hospital, Jessop said.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Jessop said the Toronto Fire Service will be conducing an investigation alongside Toronto police and the Office of the Fire Marshal into the origin, cause and circumstances of the fire.

“What’s been reported to me from the crews early this morning was a difficult fire in the basement which they typically are, it’s like fighting your way down a chimney,” Jessop said.

The son of the homeowners, who are his parents and all three live in the home, spoke to reporters and said the man who lived in the basement was very close to his family.

Sabino Poldoro said the man was trying to put out the fire which was coming from the bedroom and even ran back inside.

“We’re screaming, yelling … get out, get out,” Poldoro said. “I thought he was out because you can’t fight that fire … it’s impossible, you can’t see.”

Jessop said they never encourage anyone try to fight or put out a fire.

“The message that Toronto Fire Service has is when you see fire or become notified of fire to leave immediately,” Jessop said. “That is why home escape planning is so important.”

“You exit the building as soon as possible. You call 911 and you let our staff do what they are trained to do.”

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