Toronto Fire Services says one person has died inside an encampment that caught on fire in the Don Valley area.
Crews found a significant fire with flames of up to 30 to 40 feet in the air reported around an encampment structure in the valley, Jessop said.
There were also a number of propane tanks and other compressed gas cylinders that were exploding.
“These fires are certainly a risk to the first responders. There is no question we have been dealing with these fires for a number of years in the city,” Jessop said.
“Every time our firefighters attend one of these, when you have fully involved structures and compressed gas cylinders and propane tanks exploding, there is serious risk to our first responders.”
Additional crews were called but the fire was quickly put out.
During the primary search, Jessop said they found one person dead inside the structure.
The origin, cause and circumstances of the encampment fire are being investigated, Jessop said.
No other structures were impacted. Jessop said shelter and support services has been contacted due to the number of people and structures in the valley.
The City of Toronto thanked Toronto Fire for their quick response and a spokesperson for the mayor’s office said the incident “underscores the urgent need to bring people indoors into shelters and affordable housing.”
“Ultimately, everyone needs a safe place to call home. Mayor Chow has focused on strengthening eviction prevention programs and getting shovels in the ground on thousands of affordable homes across Toronto,” the spokesperson said.