One person fighting for their life in hospital following ‘severe’ fire in north Etobicoke, says deputy chief

One person remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries following a “severe” fire that broke out in north Etobicoke early Sunday afternoon.

The two-alarm blaze, which heavily damaged the second floor of a home, erupted shortly after 12:30 p.m. in Rexdale at a residence on Upper Humber Drive, near Finch Avenue West and Highway 427.

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Speaking to the media at the scene, Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop said emergency responders rushed to that area after receiving numerous reports of children trapped inside the dwelling.

He said that Toronto police were the first to arrive and entered the home to search for any occupants.

“They bravely went inside without the personal protective equipment our staff have, to do the best search they could do knowing of the multiple reports of children inside,” Jessop said, adding that a number of those officers were assessed and treated for “some” minor injuries and smoke inhalation, but were expected to be released from the hospital shortly.

Firefighters arrived a short time later.

Crews could “literally see flames and smoke several kilometres away,” Jessop said as they made their way to the scene. He added that flames were rolled up to the second floor upon their arrival.

“The conditions that the firefighters had to enter in, as you can see from behind me, were extreme and I certainly want to thank the women and men of Toronto Fire, again long with the police officers that made entry into that building, with the multiple reports that we had coming in through numerous calls that there were children inside,” Jessop said, adding that a number of firefighters helmed and visors melted due to the fire’s extreme heat.

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop speaks to the media on Dec. 22 following a 2-alarm fire in Rexdale.

Upon arrival, Firefighters immediately began a primary search, he said, and only found one victim without vital signs and pulled them from the burning home. That person, whose age and gender has not been released. was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

No children were located in the residence, he added.

“The last report I’ve had is the Toronto Paramedic Services were able to regain a pulse and that victim is current in life-threatening condition under excellent medical care in the hospital right now,” he said, offering his sympathies to the family impacted by this fire as well as the person who remains in the hospital.

Paramedics said three others were also hospitalized as a result of the fire, two of whom were transported by paramedics with minor injuries, while the third transported themselves.

The fire was extinguished within about a half hour of crews arriving at the scene. Firefighters remain on douse any hot spots.

Jessop said the fire investigations division will be looking into the origin, cause, and circumstances oof this incident and will make appropriate notifications to Toronto police and the Office of the Fire Marshall.

The Toronto Building Division has also be notified and will be investigating the structural stability of the home due to the “severity” of fire, he added.

Neighbours told CP24 that the people who reside in the home that caught fire are out of the country at this time.

Jessop, meanwhile, reminded everyone to ensure there are working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their home, and to have a home escape plan.