I stepped out of my car into the hazy morning air at Brimley and Huntingwood, where fire crews were wrapping up their response to the second fire in as many months at this Scarborough strip mall. The smell of smoke hung over the plaza parking lot as business owners gathered in small clusters, their faces etched with concern.
“We’re just trying to understand what happened,” said Ahmed Khalil, who owns the convenience store two units away from where the fire broke out around 4:30 a.m. “First April, now June. Everyone’s worried about their livelihoods.”
Toronto Fire Services confirmed that firefighters responded to reports of smoke and flames visible from the rear of the single-story commercial building. The fire was quickly upgraded to a two-alarm response, bringing additional personnel and equipment to the scene.
Deputy Chief Marco Santini told me the blaze was contained to a vacant unit formerly occupied by a nail salon. “Our crews managed to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent businesses, but there is smoke and water damage to neighboring units,” Santini explained as firefighters packed up their equipment.
This marks the second significant fire at this location since April 12, when a more extensive blaze damaged multiple businesses and required a three-alarm response. That earlier fire resulted in a partial roof collapse and displaced several small business owners.
Walking through the plaza, I noticed the stark contrast between the newly damaged section and the areas still bearing the scars of April’s fire. Construction hoarding covered nearly a third of the plaza’s façade where renovation work had just begun.
“We were just getting estimates last week to reopen,” said Mei Lin, whose family-owned restaurant has been closed since the April incident. “Now this happens. It feels like starting over again.”
Toronto Police confirmed they’re treating both fires as suspicious. Detective Sergeant Carlos Pereira of 41 Division said investigators are reviewing security footage and interviewing witnesses. “At this point, we’re examining potential connections between the two incidents, but it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions.”
According to Toronto Fire Services data, commercial structure fires have increased 8% across the city over the past year. Multiple-incident locations represent a smaller but concerning trend, particularly in strip malls where fire separation between units can be minimal.
For the small business community here, these statistics translate to real-world anxiety. The plaza houses primarily family-owned establishments—a barbershop, convenience store, restaurant, dry cleaner, and until recently, the nail salon where the latest fire originated.
Ward 22 Councillor Nick Mantas arrived mid-morning to speak with affected business owners. “These are hardworking people who contribute significantly to our local economy,” he told me. “We’re working to connect them with resources through the city’s Business Improvement Area office and exploring potential emergency support measures.”
Insurance adjusters were already on scene by 10 a.m., clipboards in hand as they spoke with property management representatives. One adjuster, who requested anonymity as they weren’t authorized to speak publicly, noted that fires at commercial properties often trigger complex investigations.
“When you have multiple incidents at the same location within a short timeframe, it raises questions that need thorough examination,” they explained. “The investigation process can sometimes delay insurance payouts, which creates additional hardship for business owners.”
The property management company, Eastway Holdings, issued a brief statement indicating they’re cooperating fully with authorities and working to expedite repairs. “The safety of tenants and their customers remains our highest priority,” the statement read.
For longtime residents like Maria Stephanides, who’s lived in the neighborhood for over 25 years, the plaza represents more than just businesses. “This is where we get our groceries, where my husband gets his hair cut,” she said, watching the scene from across the street. “These people are our neighbors. It’s heartbreaking to see them go through this again.”
As cleanup crews arrived to secure the site, I noticed a small team from Toronto Fire Services’ investigation unit conducting what appeared to be a detailed examination of the building’s rear service area. They declined to comment on their findings.
Fire prevention officers will likely conduct follow-up inspections at adjacent businesses before allowing them to reopen, according to Toronto Fire Services protocols. This process could take several days, further extending the financial impact on business owners.
The strip mall, built in the early 1980s, has been a fixture in this part of Scarborough for generations. Like many similar commercial properties across Toronto, it serves a diverse community and provides affordable retail space for small entrepreneurs.
As I was leaving, I spotted Khalil placing a handwritten sign in his convenience store window: “Temporarily closed. Hope to reopen soon. Thank you for your support.“
That simple message perhaps best captures the resilience of these small business owners, facing uncertainty yet again while determined to rebuild—if given the chance.
