Fire on Maitland Street

[dt_toronto_geek]

There was what appears to be a pretty big fire on Maitland Street in the Church-Wellesley Village tonight. The run-down lowrise walkup behind Super Fresh Mart/Reithers/California/Baskin & Robins on Maitland, just west of Church Street seems to be the source. For those who live in the nabe, this is Francine's building. At a little after 11pm I went out to my balcony to have a cigarette and I couldn't see the building across the street for all the smoke, then I registered all the sirens racing to the scene for the next half an hour but I couldn't quite see where for all the smoke.
I finally thought to take a couple of photos at around 11:30 but the smoke had died down considerably by then.
I took my dog for a walk around 1am to scope things out. There are dozens of emergency vehicles including ambulance buses and 5 or 6 TTC buses on Maitland between Jarvis & Church Sts. I could see a fire truck ladder extended to the front of the apartment building to perhaps the 3rd or 4th floor. Church Street remains closed as of 2:30am.
Hopefully no serious injuries.

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge, then click again on the image for full size.

 

[urbandreamer]

What a shame Toronto's older apartment buildings are left to rot. I wonder if it was an insurance job?

(Tragically it appears one man is dead.)

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

Man Dead In Apartment Fire
Sunday April 5, 2009
CityNews.ca Staff

A 60-year-old man has died and nearly 60 residents are without a home after a three-alarm fire.

The blaze broke out just before midnight on Saturday at 56 Maitland Street. Firefighters and emergency crews rushed to the apartment building and immediately began working to get everyone out.

Nearly 50 units were evacuated and tenants were moved to nearby buildings in the Yonge St. and Carlton St. area.

Workers found the victim and a woman, believed to be in her 50s, on the third floor. They were immediately taken to Toronto General Hospital, but it was too late for the man.

He was pronounced dead at hospital. The cause of death is believed to be smoke inhalation.

Another firefighter was also taken to hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation and released. The woman is still in hospital but is expected to survive.

Three firefighters were treated at the scene.

The damage from the fire is extensive: residents will not be able to move back in for several weeks, and it could be days before they are allowed to collect their belongings.

At least 12 residents are using the city's temporary emergency shelter, currently being provided at Metro Hall (55 John St.).

The Fire Marshall's office is investigating.

Residents are asked to register with the City of Toronto 416-676-1506 to remain up to date on when they will be allowed back home.

Residents can also call the City of Toronto Shelter Support and Housing Service 416-676-1506 for information or assistance.

If critical items from the building are required by residents they are asked to call for assistance.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_33497.aspx

Photo from Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12873066@N03/3414882000/in/photostream/

 

[condovo]

For those who live in the nabe, this is Francine's building.

Is Francine the older woman who wears short-shorts in the winter, stares out from coal-rimmed eyes, and hangs out with the gays at Starbucks on Church?

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

Is Francine the older woman who wears short-shorts in the winter, stares out from coal-rimmed eyes, and hangs out with the gays at Starbucks on Church?

No, she (used to be he until the '80's) runs one of those pre-war apartment walk-ups behind Super Fresh Mart for as long as I have lived in this area. The one that I thought was involved in the fire last night.

I think it's one of these buildings that was involved -

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

It's the wrong building in the Virtual Earth capture above. Below is the correct building.

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge, then click again on the image for full size.

56 Maitland -



Rear of building -

 

[SunriseChampion]

Man, that sucks that it was so extensive and deadly.

By the way, your apartment appears to be exactly what I'm looking for...wanna trade?

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

Updated CityTV new story with the 6pm video piece

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_33497.aspx

Toronto Star -

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/614141

 

[khris]

That's a shame about the death. Those buildings are nice.

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

That's a shame about the death. Those buildings are nice.

There are dozens of these types of low-rises between Sherbourne & Yonge, south of Bloor and much better examples too. Perhaps I'll photograph some of the better one's this summer and start a thread on them.

 

[khris]

There are dozens of these types of low-rises between Sherbourne & Yonge, south of Bloor and much better examples too. Perhaps I'll photograph some of the better one's this summer and start a thread on them.

Ya I really enjoy them when I'm in the area. There are quite a few of them. A lot of them seem to be really well kept up too!

 

[chriskayTO]

In The Star today, it says "There were no sprinklers in the building, which was built when sprinklers weren't required by law."

I thought sprinklers weren't required in any residential buildings in Ontario? I know that new condo projects definitely do not have them.

 

[DSC]

Is Francine the older woman who wears short-shorts in the winter, stares out from coal-rimmed eyes, and hangs out with the gays at Starbucks on Church?

I suspect she uses KOHL - coal might be somewhat gritty, though probably cheaper.

 

[digi]

I know that new condo projects definitely do not have them.

The Hudson at King and Spadina is sprinklered.

 

[chriskayTO]

Wow, that's great news! It's odd for a builder to add in something that's not requred by code.