1 dead, 5 injured in Scarborough apartment building fire

One person is dead and five are seriously injured after a two-alarm fire in the West Hill neighbourhood in Scarborough.

At around 3:30 p.m. emergency crews were called to Kingston Road and Lawrence Avenue East for reports of a fire at a highrise apartment building.

Toronto Fire tweeted just before 4:15 p.m. that one person had been removed from the building without vital signs, later they confirmed that person had died.

According to paramedics, five other people were transported to hospital in serious condition.

In a press conference, Toronto Fire chief Matthew Pegg said that there was no indication of the origin cause and circumstances surrounding the fire and an investigation into the cause will continue.

“The fire has now been extinguished,” said Pegg. “Our crews are continuing to work on the scene.”

He could confirm that the fire originated in one unit but couldn’t confirm whether those injured were related in any way.

There is currently no count on the number of people who have been displaced due to the fire.

TTC buses have been called for shelter.

“Both Toronto Community Housing and our colleagues at the TTC have made provisions for emergency shelter,” said Pegg adding that he “extends [his] most sincere condolences” to the family of the deceased.

Lawrence Ave East is now closed from Morningside Avenue to Kingston Road.

The fire investigations team and the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal had been notified, according to Pegg.

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