District chief in stable condition after a 'medical event' during Etobicoke blaze, Toronto Fire says

A district chief rushed to hospital in critical condition while responding to a four-alarm fire in Etobicoke Thursday night is now in stable condition, Toronto Fire says.

The district chief "sustained some type of medical event," Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg told reporters outside the St. Joseph's Health Centre where the firefighter was recovering.

Toronto Fire previously classified the blaze as a five-alarm.

Pegg did not give details on what happened but said the district chief was actively involved in a command role at the scene.

"This is about the worst case scenario for any fire chief," Pegg added, commending the firefighters who responded to the fire "while knowing one of their own was injured."

The fire is now under control but it forced the evacuation of a number of townhouse units early Thursday evening.

TTC buses were deployed to shelter residents forced out of their homes near Palace Pier Court and Marine Parade Drive.

Toronto Fire Services Capt. David Eckerman told CBC Toronto they responded to reports of a fire on the third-floor balcony of a townhouse that quickly spread north to an adjoining roof.