Person dead after fire breaks out in Toronto apartment building: paramedics

Toronto paramedics say one person is dead following a two-alarm fire Tuesday morning at a highrise building.

Paul Fitzgerald, deputy fire chief, told reporters that as part of their response they conducted a search for any other potential fires and found one adult with “vital signs absent.” They were later pronounced dead on scene, which is located at Neilson Road and McLevin Avenue.

Fitzgerald added the person is believed to be a resident or occupant of the unit that was on fire.

Toronto fire said the call came in at 7:39 a.m. When crews arrived, they saw heavy black smoke coming from the building. The fire occurred on the 16th floor and crews were able to extinguish it.

Fitzgerald said crews used thermal imaging to determine which unit the fire was in and on entering found it “fully involved.”

Fitzgerald said there does not appear to be any damage to neighbouring units at this time.

Residents on the 16th floor have been evacuated and as crews work to ensure the building is safe, residents will be let back inside.

An investigation is underway. Fitzgerald says the Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified and would work with them and Toronto police in determining the cause, origin and what led up to the fire.