Kurt Browning and his family are beginning the process of recovering from a blaze that destroyed a portion of their multi-million-dollar home Wednesday.
Investigators were back Thursday examining the charred dwelling as they attempt to discover the definitive cause of the three-alarm blaze that had up to 80 firefighters on scene at its peak.
Neighbours said while one can rebuild a house, it's much more difficult to rebuild memories.
It isn't known yet how long it will take to repair the damage, which has left the home uninhabitable.
The fire is believed to have started in the garage where Browning was using a leaf blower to dry his convertible, CTV's Natalie Johnson reported Thursday.
Browning was apparently unable to put out the flames with an extinguisher, she said.
Officials estimate that the home, located in the heart of the upscale Forest Hill neighbourhood, suffered at least $1-million worth of damage. It took firefighters three hours to extinguish the flames.
Browning is a four-time national champion figure skater. He has two children with his wife Sonia Rodriguez, who is a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada.
Neighbours gathered outside the house Wednesday to watch firefighters at work.
"We initially heard the popping of glass, and it looked like it was coming from the car," neighbour Miriam Swartz said.
"And then the whole house was just engulfed in flames."
Toronto Fire Division Commander Bob O'Hallarn said it looked as if the man had walked away from the vehicle for a moment and returned to find the car in flames.
From the garage, the fire spread to the house's second and third floors before emerging on the roof.
The cause will ultimately have to be determined by a full investigation, added Capt. Mike Strapko.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson
