More than 40 townhouses under construction damaged in Vaughan fire
It’s unclear when residents will be able to move into the more than 40 townhomes under construction that were charred and damaged after a large fire in Vaughan over the weekend.
Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services told CTV News Monday of the 111 units in the project, 41 are damaged, some of which were ready for occupancy this month.
“This development ranged from wood construction to basically move in condition, maybe would have been within a week, so that’s the really sad part about it,” said Deputy Chief Grant Moffatt.
He added the Ontario Fire Marshall (OFM) and York Regional Police are investigating, which is standard with a fire of this size.
The OFM said Monday it spent the afternoon dealing with safety issues because a lot of the structures were in danger of collapsing.
Flames erupted around 4 a.m. Sunday at the Pine Valley Estates development located on Simmons Street near Rutherford Road and Highway 27. The fire burned for eight hours.
It was a fire so intense an aerial truck valued at $1 million on scene to fight it was engulfed.
“Due to the rapid change in fire conditions,” said Moffatt. “They couldn’t get that truck to move it quick enough.”
“To replace that truck, that’s a big deal. We have to now go through a procurement process to get a replacement.”
Moffatt said because of the wind, the amount of wood in the fire and radiant heat, the fire travelled quickly and crews didn’t have a chance to get the truck away.
Around 60 firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.
“Once (the investigation) is completed it will be turned over to the builder, they’ll get their insurance company on board to determine how to get these rebuilt, get people in them,” said Moffatt.
The OFM said it’s too early to say whether there’s anything suspicious about the fire.
The builder tells CTV News Toronto at this time, it has no comment.
Fire officials expect to be on scene for several more days.
Vaughan fire says fire fighting in the city will not be affected, as the truck destroyed was a spare.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.