Three-alarm high-rise blaze ruled accidental

A woman in her 80s remains in hospital with severe burns following a high-rise fire Saturday afternoon in Scarborough.

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office said Monday that the three-alarm blaze at 1680 Ellesmere Rd. was a mishap.

The fire spread up to the sixth and seventh floors from the canopy above the entrance to the building.

“It started on the second level,” Detective Vanessa Ward said at the scene. “As far as completely pinpointing the source, they haven’t been able to do that as of yet.”

Engineers from forensic testing will continue the investigation.

Eastbound bus transit was redirected via Bellamy Rd. to Progress Ave. and down Consilium Place.

Some TTC buses were called in to keep residents warm after evacuation from the building.

Alma Gilay and her two children were in the building. She was heading out for the night when the smoke alarm sounded.

“The hall was black and we couldn’t leave,” Gilay said. She put a wet rag by the door to keep the black smoke from getting in her unit.

Residents were able to return to their homes later that evening.

About this article

By: Deeanna Charrion
Posted: Feb 15 2011 7:08 pm
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