At least six buildings were destroyed and multiple others were damaged after a three-alarm fire tore through century homes in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood early Wednesday morning.
Officials say it appears the fire started at a home under construction on Scollard Street, near Davenport Road and Bay Street, at around 4:30 a.m.
The fire quickly spread to neighbouring buildings and cars, a spokesperson with the Toronto Fire Service told CP24.
While the fire is now under control, several buildings have been gutted by the blaze, officials said. No injuries were reported.
Acting Deputy Chief Steve Darling told reporters at the scene that six homes were directly involved in the blaze.
“The six buildings that were involved were destroyed. There is exposures on either side, two or three, that will probably have to be gutted and renovated,” he said.
“The ones across the street received only damage to the facades, windows and siding and that sort of thing, those can be repaired.”
He noted that many of the buildings are century homes that had been converted into businesses.
“There is going to be a significant dollar value loss here,” Darling added.
Several firefighters remain on scene this morning as crews continue to extinguish hot spots. Firefighters are expected to be on scene for the remainder of the day.
There is no word on what may have caused the fire but the Office of the Fire Marshal will be called in to investigate.
An occupant of one of the buildings that caught fire called the situation “unreal.”
“It is very upsetting and very unexpected,” she told CP24 on Wednesday.
Another woman who occupies a building on the street said that her vehicle appears to have been destroyed in the blaze, though her building was spared.
“There is enormous damage. I think my vehicle is finished, it was right in front,” she said. “But anyway we are safe.”