Toronto Fire Services (TFS) said a three-alarm fire in a high-rise apartment at Bleecker Street and St. James Avenue sent several residents to hospital and displaced many more from their homes on Saturday morning.
Toronto Parademic Services said 12 people in total were taken to hospital, some with critical and others with minor injuries. Among the 12, police reported five officers were transported to hospital and require treatment for smoke inhalation.
A spokesperson for TFS told TorontoToday the fire began in a sixth floor unit.
"There was heavy, heavy smoke and heavy heat," the spokesperson said, adding that several firefighter's helmets "melted" as a result of the high temperatures in the building.
The fire has since been extinguished and residents have been evacuated.
Officials are not yet sure how many people will be displaced because of the fire.
TFS said smoke migrated throughout the building during the blaze and some occupants required emergency medical care.
The cause of the fire is not yet clear, TFS said.
An investigation into the cause and origin of the fire is underway.
Toronto Police Operations said the fire broke out in the downtown apartment around 10:40 a.m. today.
During the blaze, heavy smoke could be seen throughout the building.
Emergency response crews are currently on the scene. TFS is assessing smoke, heat and water damage in the building.
TTC buses are also in the area to provide shelter to occupants who have been forced to leave their apartment units. TFS said the Red Cross has also been engaged to provide accommodations to those who are displaced because of the fire.
In a statement posted to social media, Mayor Olivia Chow thanked the firefighters, paramedics and police at the scene of today's fire.
"Our thoughts are with the first responders and residents injured and displaced by the apartment fire on Bleecker Street today," she wrote. "The City will work in partnership with TCHC to coordinate temporary shelter and support for tenants through this difficult situation."
Our thoughts are with the first responders and residents injured and displaced by the apartment fire on Bleecker Street today. Thank you to the firefighters, paramedics and police who responded quickly to take care of tenants.
— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) February 15, 2025
The City will work in partnership with TCHC to…
Police have closed roads at Bleecker Street northbound from Wellesley Street East.
Roads at Wellesley Street East between Sherbourne and Ontario streets, as well as St. James Avenue between Parliament and Bleecker streets, have also been closed.
FIRE: (UPDATE)
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) February 15, 2025
Bleecker St & St. James Ave @TPS51Div
-officers on scene with @Toronto_Fire and @TorontoMedics
-heavy smoke reported in the building
-updates to follow
ADDITIONAL ROAD CLOSURES:
-St. James Ave closed between Parliament St and Bleecker St#GO338222
^sm