Massive Fire at Downtown Toronto Highrise Leaves 12 Hospitalized, Dozens Displaced
A devastating three-alarm fire broke out in a downtown highrise early Saturday morning, leaving 12 people hospitalized and forcing dozens of residents out of their homes. The fire erupted at 275 Bleecker Street, near St. James Avenue and Sherbourne Street, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop confirmed that crews were dispatched around 10:42 p.m. and encountered intense flames, thick black smoke, and extreme heat, particularly on the sixth floor, where the fire is believed to have originated.
Dramatic video footage shared on social media shows flames consuming a sixth-floor balcony, with plumes of smoke pouring into the night sky. Firefighters battled their way down the corridor to locate and extinguish the fire, a process that Jessop said took considerable time due to the severity of the situation.
Firefighters used aerial ladders to rescue several residents trapped on their balconies as smoke filled the building.
“This has been a significant fire, and we have had multiple crews,” said Jessop. “Not only were we fighting the fire, but we were also performing multiple exterior and interior rescues, ventilating smoke, and responding to a surge of 911 calls from residents unable to escape the smoke-filled hallways.”
Among the 12 hospitalized individuals, five were Toronto police officers who sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The remaining seven were residents, with their conditions ranging from minor to serious, according to Toronto paramedics. Additionally, 30 other tenants were assessed at the scene.
As a precaution, Toronto Community Housing has made temporary accommodations for displaced residents. Those living on the sixth floor will not be able to return to their homes for an indefinite period due to fire and smoke damage.
Blen Girma, a resident who had recently moved into a sixth-floor unit, described the terrifying moments when she realized something was wrong.
“When I opened my door, I just saw a lot of black smoke, so I ran down the staircase,” she told CP24. “I was panicking, and I was stressing because a lot of people were yelling.”
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Another resident, Daoud, who lives on the 20th floor, said he was unaware of the fire until he received a phone call about it. He was unable to enter the building, but firefighters reassured him that they were handling the situation and had sent multiple emergency alerts to residents.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Toronto Fire officials, Toronto police, and the Office of the Fire Marshal are conducting a thorough investigation into its origin and circumstances.
Emergency crews remain on-site, ventilating smoke and ensuring the safety of the structure. Residents are advised to shelter in place until further notice. Those experiencing difficulty breathing due to smoke migration are urged to call 911.
To assist affected tenants, TTC buses have been stationed at the scene, providing temporary shelter from the frigid temperatures, as Toronto remains under a winter storm warning.
Mayor Olivia Chow visited the site, commending the coordinated response of emergency teams and reassuring residents that no one will be left without shelter.
Our thoughts are with the first responders and residents injured and displaced by the apartment fire on Bleecker Street today. Thank you to the firefighters, paramedics and police who responded quickly to take care of tenants.
The City will work in partnership with TCHC to…
— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) February 15, 2025
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