2-alarm fire knocks out power at Toronto City Hall

A two-alarm fire at Toronto City Hall broke out in a hydro vault on Thursday afternoon, but little damage was done to the building that is the home of the city government.

Greg Weeks, an acting district fire chief who spoke to reporters, said that Toronto Hydro workers were on scene when it started.

"It was an accident with the ladder, which struck a grounding rod and started the initial fire," Weeks said. "From there, the loud bang was the transformer itself shutting off and then once we arrived on scene, the fire was determined to be out, the hydro vault was de-energized and we were dealing with smoke conditions."

A city news release indicates that the fire started at about 1:45 p.m. and was quickly brought under control.

There is little damage to city hall. The building was evacuated as a result of the fire and the power was out inside.

Paramedics say three patients were taken to a local hospital with minor smoke inhalation.

Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam tweeted that she had heard "a thunderous boom" before the building was evacuated.

Coun. Pam McConnell was among the people gathered in Nathan Phillips Square after city hall had been evacuated.

On Twitter, she praised the "very quick, professional response from fire and police."

Later Thursday afternoon, city staff were being escorted into the building to retrieve their belongings ahead of their drive home.

Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly tweeted that power was likely to be restored to the building by midnight.