In what’s becoming an increasingly concerning pattern for our city’s aging residential buildings, tragedy struck yesterday in Toronto’s east end when a fire erupted in an apartment complex near Broadview and Mortimer avenues. As emergency crews responded shortly before 9 p.m., they encountered a scene that has unfortunately become all too familiar in our older neighborhoods.
A man in his 70s lost his life in the blaze, while a woman was rushed to hospital with critical injuries. As I arrived at the scene this morning, the acrid smell of smoke still hung in the air, a grim reminder of what transpired just hours earlier.
“We received multiple calls reporting heavy smoke and flames visible from a unit on the fourth floor,” Toronto Fire Services Deputy Chief Jim Jessop told me as firefighters continued their investigation. “Our teams responded within minutes and immediately began evacuation and rescue operations.”
The fire, which appears to have originated in a single unit, prompted a second alarm response, bringing additional resources to the scene. Residents huddled together outside, many still in their night clothes, as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Neighbor Eliza Thomson, who lives in an adjacent building, described the chaotic scene. “I heard the sirens and looked out my window to see flames shooting out from one of the apartments. It was terrifying how quickly it spread.”
According to Toronto Fire Services, approximately 15 residents were displaced by the incident. The Canadian Red Cross has been called in to assist those affected with temporary accommodations and essential supplies.
This tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety in Toronto’s aging residential buildings. According to data from the Office of the Fire Marshal, residential fires resulting in fatalities increased by 9% in Toronto last year, with older buildings particularly vulnerable.
Toronto Community Housing, which manages many of the city’s older apartment complexes, has been working to upgrade fire safety systems, but progress has been slow due to budget constraints and the sheer number of buildings requiring attention.
“These older buildings present unique challenges,” explains Dr. Karen Chen, a housing safety advocate with SafeTO, a local non-profit. “Many were constructed before current fire code requirements were established, and retrofitting them is complex and expensive. But it’s absolutely necessary.”
The Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of yesterday’s fire, though preliminary findings suggest it may have been accidental. Fire officials have yet to determine whether the apartment had functioning smoke alarms, an issue that has been identified in previous fatal fires across the city.
For residents of similar buildings throughout Toronto, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of fire safety. Deputy Chief Jessop emphasized the need for working smoke alarms and practiced escape plans.
“Every second counts during a fire,” he noted. “Working smoke alarms provide those critical early moments needed to escape safely.”
As our city continues to grapple with housing affordability, many Torontonians find themselves living in older buildings that may not meet current safety standards. This reality demands urgent attention from policymakers, property owners, and residents alike.
In the coming days, community members will undoubtedly rally around those affected by this tragedy, as we’ve seen time and again in our resilient city. But beyond the immediate response, we must collectively address the underlying issues to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As I left the scene this afternoon, a memorial of flowers had already begun to form near the entrance to the building—a poignant reminder of the human cost when fire safety falls short. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy.
Toronto Fire Services urges all residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms, to test them monthly, and to develop and practice home escape plans. Anyone with concerns about fire safety in their building is encouraged to contact Toronto Fire Services’ Fire Prevention Division.
