Famed Yorkville hangout ablaze
Five-alarm fire draws 40-plus fire trucks to downtown Toronto to fight fire at Sassafraz
Dec. 13, 2006. 01:37 PM
JOANNA SMITH
STAFF REPORTER
Over 40 fire trucks are on the scene as firefighters battle a five-alarm blaze at Sassafraz Café, an upscale restaurant in the heart of Yorkville known as a celebrity hangout.
"We don’t know where it started yet, but the whole place is burning down," said Toronto police Staff Sgt. Lou Villani.
Fire broke out in the downtown restaurant around 11:30 a.m. and grew quickly, sending thick grey smoke billowing up from the trendy neighbourhood.
Firefighters could be heard on scanners urging each other to be careful as the roof was ready to collapse.
A Toronto Ambulance official said paramedics treated a couple of people for minor injuries but no one has been transported to hospital.
The Sassafraz, located at 100 Cumberland St., is one of the places to go stargazing during the Toronto International Film Festival as well as year-round.
“It’s not known for the food. It’s known for its scene,†said Toronto Star restaurant critic Amy Pataki.
The scene really heats up during the film festival.
Industry executives and big-name actors flock to the upscale restaurant with the large wrap-around patio because it’s so close to all the screenings.
The fans follow.
“Celebrity watchers eat out on the patio, hoping they’ll catch a glimpse of their favourite star,†Pataki said.
According to Sassafraz’s website, Mick Jagger, Robert De Niro, Renée Zellweger, U2, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Queen Latifah have all been spotted there.