Community meeting held to discuss string of George Street fires
Posted October 5, 2012 7:50 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
As officials continue to investigate the cause of a four-alarm fire that gutted a downtown heritage building, community members met Friday to discuss a string of fires in the area.
The stubborn blaze started around 4:30 a.m. Thursday in an abandoned building on George Street, near Dundas and Jarvis streets. The address is known for squatters, according to neighbours.
Local city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam expressed frustration with the building’s owner, Frank Mancini, who she claims hasn’t been properly securing his area properties to prevent fires and other security problems.
She said since 2003, the city has issued Mancini dozens of orders to fix infractions.
“This is a file that’s been with the city for some time and there hasn’t been a solution yet,” she said Thursday.
Wong-Tam and fire officials said there have been a string of fires in and around George Street over the past few months.
CityNews spoke with Mancini in the aftermath.
“At this particular point in time, I’m dealing with things that I have to do to the building,” he said. “I’m involved with the building department, the police, and the fire department. I don’t have time to explain everything to you.”
Friday’s meeting was scheduled before Thursday’s fire. Wong-Tam and representatives from Toronto Emergency Services, Toronto Fire and the community attended.
