Jeremy Reigber

Residents from 11 Thorncliffe Park and 21 Overlea Blvd are still displaced as Toronto Fire battles what Chief Jim Jessop calls an “unprecedented and extremely challenging fire.”

The 5-alarm fire, which started last Thursday, is still burning nearly a week later. It’s trapped deep inside a 25–50 mm gap between the two buildings — a space so tight firefighters can’t reach it with standard hoses. Crews have had to break through walls and even use garden hoses to get water into the gap.

The material between the buildings burns slowly, making progress extremely difficult. Jessop says Toronto Fire has never encountered anything like this.

Due to high carbon monoxide levels and significant water and structural damage, both buildings remain evacuated. There is no timeline yet for when residents can return.

Nearly 400 displaced residents are currently staying in hotels, and officials urge those affected to contact their insurance providers for support.

Once the fire is fully extinguished, engineers will need to test for toxins, assess structural integrity, and confirm safety systems before anyone can go back in.

A fire broke out Friday night at a home on Chauncey Street, causing an estimated $110,000 in damages, officials said.

Firefighters were called to 77 Chauncey St. around 9:30 p.m., where flames had erupted on the first floor of the 1½-story wood-frame house and spread to the second floor.

In the fifth chapter of Heroes Through the Lens, we focus on Station 421 in Mount Dennis—a cornerstone of bravery in this vibrant community. This installment captures the spirit and strength of a firefighter who serves with pride and dedication.

Buffalo Fire Departments Engine 22 arrived to a fully involved structure fire at 37 Miller Ave on the weekend, reporting flames on both floors. With partial collapse occurring, all members were safely evacuated before resuming their attack.