Firefighters extinguish 'stubborn' fire in commercial building on the Danforth
Toronto firefighters have extinguished a four-alarm fire in a commercial building that gutted a restaurant on the Danforth Tuesday morning.
Firefighters are monitoring hot spots, but the fire is considered out, according to Toronto Fire Capt. Michael Westwood. The fire was brought under control at 10:45 a.m.
"The good news is there are no reports of any injuries," he said.
The blaze on Danforth Avenue, near Chester Avenue, prompted firefighters to evacuate a few neighbouring buildings due to smoke.
Smoke, water may have damaged bridal store
The main floor of the building contained Detroit Eatery, a popular diner on the Danforth. It sustained significant damage, including to its basement.
Smoke and water as well may have migrated to Becker's Bridals, a bridal salon next door, Westwood said.
Firefighters were called to the two-storey commercial building at about 6:45 a.m. Initially, Westwood called the fire "stubborn" because it took firefighters about four hours to bring the flames under control.
He also called it "deep-seated" in the basement and challenging to put out because the building is old.
Initially, the fire was said to be on the main floor and in the building's basement ceiling.
No estimate of damage was immediately available. An apartment is located above the restaurant, he said.
Firefighters searched the building but determined that no one was inside.
A TTC bus was parked near the scene to provide shelter for residents or business people forced out.
Ice coated firefighting gear
Westwood said the cold weather complicated firefighting efforts because the area has became icy and the city had to bring in a truck to salt the area.
"Obviously, with water freezing, there are a lot of slip hazards," he said. "Also the ice builds up on firefighting equipment and gear. It's a challenge but we're managing."
A four-alarm blaze means about 100 firefighters and 24 fire trucks responded to the call. Toronto Fire used aerial operations to fight the blaze
Westwood said the fire escalated to a four-alarm blaze because there was a need to rotate crews in and out of the scene. The cold weather means crews need to take breaks to stay warm, he said.
"During extreme weather, during really cold weather like now or really hot weather, typically you have to cycle crews through to send them to rehab, which is rehabilitation to warm up, rehydrate, before they get back in to battle the blaze," he said.
Police have closed one eastbound lane of Danforth Avenue, from Jackman Avenue to Logan Avenue, as the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire continues. One eastbound lane and all westbound lanes have been reopened.
"There's a lot of hose line and fire apparatus on scene there."
Mayor John Tory, asked about the fire when he was speaking in Scarborough on Tuesday, thanked firefighters for battling the blaze, which he said must have been difficult in sub-zero temperatures.
"As usual, they did a good job in making sure that people were kept safe and that they did their best with the property. But it's unfortunate that I think a lot of damage was sustained by that property, which is something that will be of regret to a lot of people in that neighbourhood," he said.
Tory said the Detroit Eatery is, "a place many of us have gone to over the years."
"It's always sad for entrepreneurs like this to have these fires take place in their premises because often it's very difficult to recover, notwithstanding insurance."
Children's Circle of St. Barnabas, a daycare located down the street from the fire, was closed because of smoke.
Parents whose children attend the daycare have been told that the air quality will have to be checked before the daycare is deemed safe for children to return.
People were urged to avoid the area, which is still icy in parts.
