Residents of a fire-ravaged Toronto highrise have been given homes at hotels and furnished apartments for the rest of the week, after a fire left 1,200 residents temporarily homeless last Friday.

The City of Toronto announced on Tuesday that everyone displaced by fire damage has been provided temporary homes, food vouchers and TTC tokens.

However, 54 people elected to stay at the nearby Wellesley Community Centre.

Friday's fire broke out about 5 p.m. in an apartment on the 24th floor of the 200 Wellesley St. E. apartment building. More than 1,200 residents were forced to the street as firefighters battled the nasty blaze.

There is no word on when they will be allowed to return home.

The Ontario Fire Marshal continued to investigate the cause of the fire on Tuesday, as engineers assessed the building's integrity.

The Toronto Police Service is asking for anyone who shot video or photos of the building before the fire started or while it was burning to send them to 200wellesleystreetfire@torontopolice.on.ca.

The blaze was made worse by the large quantities of fuel in the suite where it started. The apartment was filled with newspapers, books and other combustible materials.

The building is a social housing structure operated by the Toronto Community Housing Corp., the largest such apartment in the city. Its residents count among Toronto's poorest and most vulnerable residents.

Rescuing the pets

On Tuesday, animal services officers were still busy removing pets from empty apartments. One unit had approximately 200 birds, with conditions in the apartment described as poor.

A call has gone out for bird food donations.

Another had 16 cats. Toronto Community Housing rules allow up to six cats and three dogs.

Tom Lemon has been waiting to reunite with his two pet cats. "I feel this guilt that I can't be with them. I want them to come down to me," he said, crying.

Helping the victims

For short-term help, people can donate money through any RBC branch in Toronto (416 area code). The name of the account is Donations for 200 Wellesley St. Residents. The bank will accept cash, money orders, drafts and Visa cash advances.

Drafts and money orders must be made payable to the "Treasurer, City of Toronto." Cheques will not be accepted at RBC branches. Donations made at the branches will not be eligible for a tax receipt.

Donations made through the city are tax-deductible. If you want a receipt, include your full name and address. Cheques must be made payable to "Treasurer, City of Toronto." In the cheque's comments area, write, "Victims of the Wellesley St. Fire."

Cheques can be dropped off at the Wellesley Community Centre at 495 Sherbourne St. or mailed to:

The Toronto Office of Partnerships
Metro Hall
First floor
55 John St.
Toronto, ON
M5V 3C6

People can also donate gift cards for grocery, department and drug stores.

You can also take donations of cheques and gift cards to 519 Church St. from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Clothing donations are no longer being accepted.

Animal Services is looking for donations of pet food and related supplies:

  • cat litter
  • pet carriers
  • disposable aluminum pans

Residents of 200 Wellesley can pick up donated items at the community centre (495 Sherbourne St.) and at the University of Toronto Exam Centre (255 McCaul St.). They should bring their yellow registration card.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Galit Solomon