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Nearly a week after a fire started in Toronto’s east end, engineers and fire crews have officially decided they will need to destroy the wall of the Thorncliffe Park buildings to access the burning material and extinguish it.
At a news conference Wednesday, Toronto Fire Services Chief Jim Jessop said city engineers recommended causing “significant damage” to units with the adjoining burning wall.
“We understand this is difficult for those affected to understand,” he said. “We know residents are eager to return to their homes and we share that urgency, but safety must come first.”
Jessop has called the five-alarm fire, which originally started on Nov. 27, one of the “most complex” he has seen in his career. The fire has displaced residents from the buildings and many are now staying in hotel rooms while they wait to be told when they can return.
Jessop said the building will remain evacuated until further notice, and while he can’t provide a specific time frame, it will be at least until next week.
Firefighting crews continue to meet with a multidisciplinary team of engineers to explore options other than destruction.
But Jessop said the burning material, which is no more than two inches wide, is sandwiched between two buildings, so applying water and other extinguishing agents to it includes punching holes in the walls.
“There will certainly be damage to the units,” he said Wednesday at City Hall.
Residents eager to return home
For the displaced, returning home cannot come soon enough. Resident Jacqui Julian says although they are receiving food and shelter at the hotel, she is tired.
“We want to go home,” Julián said.
Ines Caparas, another displaced resident, said she is grateful that no one was hurt and grateful to those working day and night to extinguish the fire.
“Not every day life goes smoothly. Sometimes there are obstacles along the way,” he said.
A total of 239 people from 119 different households received hotel accommodation through the Canadian Red Cross, city spokesperson Kate Lear said in an emailed statement. Those 239 people occupy 131 hotel rooms.
Toronto fire crews are trying to put out what is being called one of the most complex fires in the city’s history, one that has been burning for days in the particle board between the walls of two connected apartment towers.
Count. Rachel Chernos Lin (Don Valley West) said she understands that people are anxious for the day they are told they can return.
“That’s a universal feeling,” he said. “But they have also been very patient and very understanding and [want] to make sure the fire is out.”
The community has been supportive, Chernos Lin said.
“What has really caught my attention is the collaborative work that has been so stellar,” he said. “Everyone is really engaging with the residents and making sure their needs are met.”
The causes of the fire are being investigated
Chernos Lin confirmed that the investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched.
“I know everyone will want to make sure it’s done correctly and nothing is left unturned,” he said. “It may take some time, but they will get to the bottom of this. I’m sure of it.”
Toronto Building CEO Kamal Gogna, who was also at the news conference at City Hall on Wednesday, said engineers have conducted initial investigations and will evaluate further once firefighting efforts have concluded.
“We expect different parts of the building to be available for occupancy at different times,” he said. “We are committed to sharing clear information as soon as the assessments are completed.”
