Explosion, fire leaves residents without power at west end Toronto building

Residents of a west-end apartment building remain without power on Monday morning after a ‘significant’ five-alarm fire damaged the building’s electrical system over the weekend.

Police and fire crews responded to reports of an explosion and fire at 357 Rusholme Road in the area of Bloor Street West and Dovercourt Road just before 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“Toronto Fire Service was met with a serious electrical fire that was generating and producing a large volume and quantity of smoke,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop.

Fire officials say the blaze was initially classified as two-alarm but soon escalated to five-alarm after the fire quickly jumped to several floors via the electrical system.

A resident of the building tells CityNews they heard a loud explosion in the basement of the complex.

“I opened the door from my apartment and there were flames shooting out from the electrical room in the hallway,” said Clay, who is an electrician by trade. “People on the first and second floor said it sounded like a bomb went off, with this thick black smoke and the smell… I know that smell instantly.”

Jessop says several residents were evacuated from some floors, but the majority of the building’s residents were told to shelter in place given the volume of smoke throughout the building and in the stairwells and hallways as crews worked to bring the fire under control.

“This was a significant fire and the women and men of the Toronto Fire Service did an absolutely outstanding job extinguishing the fire and ventilating the smoke,” said Jessop.

Paramedics tell CityNews one person was assessed for minor injuries at the scene but no other serious injuries have been reported.

“The power to the building will not be restored tonight. TFS expects an update from ESA and the building owner’s electricians tomorrow that will provide a more accurate estimate on power restoration,” fire officials said in a social media post Sunday night.

Fire officials say electricity to two other buildings in the same complex has not been affected by the fire.

“To ensure occupant safety, TFS will remain on scene continuing to monitor the air quality, perform fire watch, provide lighting and continue welfare checks on residents.”

TTC shelter buses have been brought in to help with residents who have been displaced by the fire.

The Office of the Fire Marshal has been called in to determine the origin and cause of the blaze.