One adult in life-threatening condition after 4-alarm blaze at Toronto apartment building
One person has life-threatening injuries and three others have minor injuries following a four-alarm blaze in Toronto’s west end on Saturday morning.
At around 6:15 a.m., fire crews responded to a fire at a three-storey, multi-unit apartment building at 828 Shaw St., north of Bloor Street.
"Upon arrival we were met with heavy smoke and flames. The fire quickly escalated," Acting Fire Chief Jim Jessop told reporters at the scene.
There were reports of black smoke and flames coming from the second floor and roof of the building, fire officials said.
Jessop said 11 people were rescued from the burning building and four were transported to hospital.
One adult sustained life-threatening injuries and the three others had minor injuries.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
As of 10 a.m., Jessop said crews were still working to knock down the fire.
"We've had a number of internal collapses. We still have not completed our primary and secondary searches throughout the entire building. And we are just actively fighting the fire at this time," he said.
With this morning's temperature feeling like -30 with the wind chill, Jessop said crews are working in extremely tough conditions.
"There is no doubt, as you can appreciate, the coldest day of the year. The women and men of Toronto Fire right now are just performing admirably in these very, very difficult conditions. A number of pieces of our equipment are freezing. Obviously, very, very cold but we will be here all day."
The Canadian Red Cross has attended the scene to assist with providing shelter.
Roads are closed in the area as fire crews investigate.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.