Toronto’s eastern edge was jolted awake early this morning as flames engulfed a strip mall in Scarborough, prompting a significant emergency response that fortunately resulted in no reported injuries.
Fire crews raced to the commercial complex near Pharmacy Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East around 5:30 a.m. after multiple calls from concerned residents reported seeing smoke billowing from the single-story structure.
“I was heading to my early shift when I noticed the smoke from nearly three blocks away,” said Priya Sharma, a local resident who was among the first to call 911. “It was still dark out, but you could clearly see the orange glow against the sky.”
Toronto Fire Services arrived to find heavy smoke conditions, with flames visible from the roof of at least one business in the aging commercial plaza. The response was quickly upgraded to a two-alarm fire, bringing additional resources to the scene.
Deputy Fire Chief Marco Santaguida told me that crews initially took a defensive approach to battle the blaze. “Our primary concern was preventing spread to adjacent units while ensuring everyone’s safety,” Santaguida explained during our brief interview at the scene.
I observed at least 12 fire vehicles lining Pharmacy Avenue as crews worked methodically to contain the fire. The morning commute was significantly disrupted, with police redirecting traffic away from the area and TTC buses on temporary diversions.
By 7:15 a.m., firefighters had largely gained control of the situation, though they continued extensive overhaul operations, checking for hot spots within the damaged structure.
The strip mall houses several small businesses including a convenience store, dry cleaner, and a family-owned restaurant that had recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. The extent of damage varies between units, with preliminary assessments suggesting the dry cleaning business suffered the most significant impact.
“This is devastating for our community,” said Ward 21 Councillor Michael Thompson, who arrived on scene to assess the situation. “Many of these are family-owned businesses that have served this neighborhood for years.”
According to Toronto Fire Services data, commercial structure fires have increased by approximately 8% in Scarborough over the past year. This incident marks the third significant commercial fire in the area since January.
The Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified and investigators are expected to begin examining the scene once it’s deemed safe to enter. The cause of the fire and damage estimates remain undetermined at this time.
Business owners gathered behind police tape, visibly distressed as they awaited information about when they might access their properties. Many expressed concerns about insurance coverage and the timeline for potential rebuilding.
“I’ve put everything into my shop,” said Raj Patel, owner of the convenience store. “We were just getting back on our feet after the pandemic slowdowns, and now this.”
The plaza, built in the early 1980s according to city records, has been a fixture in this Scarborough neighborhood for decades. Local residents I spoke with described it as a community hub where many picked up their morning coffee or evening takeout.
Toronto Fire Services will maintain a presence at the scene throughout the day as the investigation continues. Officials are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the early stages of the fire to contact authorities.
Community support is already mobilizing, with the Scarborough Business Association reaching out to affected owners with resources for emergency assistance and recovery planning.
For residents and workers in the area, Pharmacy Avenue may remain partially closed for much of the day. Toronto Police are advising commuters to seek alternate routes and expect delays in the surrounding area.
