A possible explosion sparked a major fire on the roof of a building under construction in downtown Toronto on Friday evening, sending thick black smoke into the sky and prompting a swift response from emergency crews. Toronto Fire Services rushed to the scene near Richmond Street W. and John Street shortly after 6 p.m. EDT, upgrading the incident to a second alarm as they fought the blaze from an adjacent structure.
Police confirmed the presence of propane cylinders in the fire zone, raising concerns about further explosions. Reports of items detonating and debris falling onto the streets below forced authorities to close Richmond Street W. between Peter and Duncan streets, while pedestrian traffic was restricted in the surrounding area to ensure public safety.
Visuals from the scene captured the intensity of the blaze, with flames visible on the rooftop as emergency personnel worked to contain the situation.
No injuries have been reported so far, according to firefighters, who continue to monitor the situation closely. The building, still in the construction phase, presented unique challenges for crews, who had to adapt their approach by positioning themselves in a neighboring structure to tackle the flames.
The incident adds to a string of recent fire emergencies in the Toronto area, highlighting ongoing safety concerns at construction sites and high-density urban zones. Emergency services remain on high alert as they assess the structural integrity of the affected building and the potential for additional hazards from the propane cylinders.
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The closure of key downtown streets is expected to disrupt traffic and local businesses into the evening, with police maintaining barricades until the area is deemed secure. As of the latest update at 6:51 p.m. EDT, containment efforts are still underway, with no timeline provided for when normal access will resume.
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