Messages of support are pouring in for a long-serving Toronto school board trustee who is in hospital with life-threatening injuries following a house fire near High Park.

The Toronto District School Board said Irene Atkinson was taken to hospital after a fire broke out at her house on High Park Boulevard Saturday evening.

Firefighters were called to the house, near Parkside Drive and The Queensway, around 7 p.m.

Firefighters pulled a woman from the back deck and performed CPR on her before rushing her to hospital, CP24 reported. Another woman took shelter on a balcony until rescue crews could get her out of the house. A cat died in the blaze.

Speaking with reporters Sunday afternoon, TDSB vice-chair Shaun Chen said Atkinson was on a ventilator at Toronto General Hospital after suffering smoke inhalation.

News of Atkinson’s condition has hit the TDSB community hard, Chen said.

“I know she will continue to fight and we can only hope and pray for the best at this time,” Chen said.

The vice-chair said emails and phone calls he’s received expressing wishes for Atkinson’s recovery are “a testament” to her diligent and passionate work in public education for the past 40 years.

Atkinson represents the Parkdale-High Park ward.

Premier Kathleen Wynne said Atkinson’s fighting spirit will help her.

“She has fought fearlessly and tirelessly for the kids of this city for decades,” Wynne said. “She’s got such a strong will. If anyone can, Irene will pull through.”

Other politicians who knew Atkinson wished her well on Twitter Sunday morning, using the hashtag #GetWellIrene.

Coun. Shelley Carroll, who represents Ward 33-Don Valley East, said: “Thoughts with dear old friend, Irene Atkinson this morning.”

NDP MP Peggy Nash, who represents Parkdale-High Park, wrote: “My thoughts are with Trustee Irene Atkinson and her family after a devastating fire at Irene’s home.”

Mayor Rob Ford said he is saying a prayer for Atkinson’s recovery.

Firefighters on the scene told CP24 they believe the fire may have been related to the home’s electrical wiring.

With a report from CTV Toronto’s Naomi Parness