Four people injured in Corktown ‘homeless encampment’ blaze

Four people were injured after a fire in the Corktown Commons park area early Sunday morning.

Capt. David Eckerman said crews were called to a “homeless encampment” in the Lakeshore Boulevard and Don Valley Parkway area at around 5:43 a.m. after drivers on the Don Valley Parkway reported seeing fire and explosions in the area.

Eckerman said it took some time for crews to get to the fire as vehicle access is limited in the area.

He said that it appears several propane canisters exploded in the fire, but the blaze was successfully knocked down by fire crews shortly after they arrived.

Toronto fire crews at a fire scene at a homeless encampment in the Corktown Commons area on Feb. 23, 2020.

Toronto EMS said they transported a man to the hospital with serious injuries.

Toronto police were also at the scene aiding in the investigation, Eckerman said.

The westbound lanes of Lakeshore Boulevard at the Don Roadway were closed for a few hours for the fire investigation.

This is not the first fire to break out at a homeless camp. On Jan. 12, a fire was put out by crews at a camp underneath the Rosedale Valley bridge in the Bloor Street East and Sherbourne Street area.