One person injured in fire at North York synagogue
A synagogue in North York was badly damaged in a two-alarm fire Thursday morning that left one person injured, and officials are working to determine the cause of the blaze.
Firefighters responded to a call for a commercial industrial fire at a building at Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue just after 9:45 a.m.
Toronto Fire Services told CP24 that there are two synagogues in the building, one of which was the location of the fire.
The fire was extinguished and one person was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. Toronto Fire Deputy Chief Jim Jessop said their injuries are considered non-life-threatening.
Jessop said the synagogue was substantially damaged, but firefighters were able to remove a number of religious artifacts from the space. Crews remain at the scene to clear the remaining smoke and a TTC bus has been deployed to provide shelter.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and officials are unsure if it is suspicious in nature, Jessop explained.
The Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified and a Toronto Fire Investigator, as well as Toronto police, have been called in to investigate.
Speaking from outside the synagogue, local Coun. James Pasternak said while he understands that news of a fire at any place of worship is “disturbing,” it’s too early to make any conclusions about what caused the blaze.
“In this heightened state of alert within the Jewish community because of world events and local events, obviously a fire in a place of worship, in a synagogue, is deeply upsetting and concerning. But, at the same time, we have to be vigilant. We have to let the investigation take its course and find out the results,” he said.
In the meantime, he said the two synagogues are working to set up their operations in a temporary space while the fire damage is cleared.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.