Three rescued from supportive housing fire on Queen Street West, one in critical condition
A fire at a supportive housing building on Queen Street West early Sunday left three people injured, one critically. Residents were evacuated and six are temporarily hotel‑housed.
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By Torontoer Staff
Three people were rescued and taken to hospital after a fire at a supportive housing building near Queen Street West and Sorauren Avenue in Toronto early Sunday, with one man in his 40s reported in critical condition. Toronto Fire crews upgraded the call to a second alarm after encountering heavy smoke and flames on arrival.
Emergency services responded at about 1:50 a.m. to the residence at 1501 Queen St. W., managed by the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre, and found three occupants in the building. Two victims have non-life-threatening injuries, and one person has life-threatening injuries, officials said.
What happened
Firefighters reported encountering heavy black smoke and visible flames on arrival. Crews quickly upgraded the incident to a second alarm to bring additional resources to the scene. Fire crews located three people in a first-floor hallway and carried out rescues before knocking down the main body of the blaze.
Crews first encountered heavy black smoke and flames upon arrival, the call was upgraded to a second alarm. Upon arrival, they did rescue three occupants from the building, and they had the fire knocked down pretty quick.
Platoon Chief Thomas Verhaeghe, Toronto Fire
Toronto Paramedic Services transported all three people to hospital. The Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre later said one person has been discharged, one remains in critical condition, and the third is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Response and investigation
Toronto Fire brought the blaze under control, but officers maintained a fire watch while investigators worked to determine origin and cause. The Office of the Fire Marshal was on scene and conducting an investigation during the day following the incident.
Crews carried out heroic rescues, saving three people. One individual sustained critical injuries. Grateful for the strong teamwork with Toronto Police Service and Toronto Paramedic Services.
Fire Chief Jim Jessop
Fire investigators will continue examining the unit and the building to establish how the fire started. Toronto police and fire services remained at the scene to support the investigation and address building safety concerns.
Impact on tenants and supports on site
The building is managed by the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre, which said security contacted emergency services and PARC staff arrived quickly to support tenants. PARC confirmed six residents displaced by the fire are being housed in a hotel while the organisation awaits clearance from Toronto Fire for others to return.
- Six tenants temporarily placed in a hotel
- Food cards and TTC passes distributed to tenants in need
- Staff on site throughout the day to coordinate supports and offer the drop-in space
PARC said it is working closely with emergency services to prioritise tenant safety and wellbeing. The organisation thanked Toronto Emergency Services and community members who reached out after the incident.
What comes next
Investigators will release findings once the Office of the Fire Marshal and Toronto Fire Services complete their work. PARC said it will provide updates on when displaced tenants can safely return and continue to assist those affected with accommodation and essentials.
Toronto police continue to support the scene and paramedics remained commended by fire officials for their rapid response. Officials urged anyone with information related to the fire to contact Toronto Fire or the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Toronto Fire Services will maintain a presence at the building as investigators and support teams work through the day. The community and tenants remain the immediate focus as agencies coordinate recovery and safety assessments.
TorontofireParkdalesupportive housingemergency services
