Following a lengthy investigation by Toronto Fire Services and the Toronto police, charges have been brought against three companies related to a fire that occurred last year inside two condominium buildings in Thorncliffe Park. The blaze lasted for 18 days and displaced many residents.
A condominium corporation linked to 11 Thorncliffe Park Dr., along with its property management firm and a construction company, has been charged, as stated by fire Chief Jim Jessop on Thursday. All parties face allegations of breaching the Ontario Fire Code.
According to Jessop, the investigation found that “construction activities” occurring at 11 Thorncliffe Park Dr. involved “ignition sources near combustible materials, causing the fire to ignite.”
“Toronto Fire Services was not notified of the fire for over 30 minutes,” he mentioned.
Jessop outlined the following violations for each company charged:
PFC Construction Inc. – failing to protect combustible materials from ignition sources during hot surface applications, failing to conduct a fire watch and ensure a fire warning is sounded, failing to provide portable fire extinguishers when conducting hot surface applications. Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corporation 956- failing to implement the building’s fire safety plan. DEL Property Management Inc. – failing to implement the building’s fire safety plan.
All three companies are set to appear in court later this month, according to Jessop.
Fire led to evacuation of 408 units
The fire started on Nov. 27 and wasn’t put out until Dec. 15. A total of 408 units had to be evacuated until residents could return gradually.
Officials from Toronto Fire previously indicated that the flames consumed combustible particle board placed in an expansion joint between both buildings. Crews needed access through some walls in order to locate the source and ensure it was fully extinguished, which resulted in additional damage.
WATCH | Complexity of Thorncliffe Park fire explained:
Tiny gap, big problem: Toronto’s 6-day apartment fire explained
A fire has been burning inside the walls of a Toronto apartment complex for six days. For The National, CBC’s Ashley Fraser breaks down the unique characteristics of the Thorncliffe Park buildings that are making the fire so challenging to put out.
Many residents had no choice but to stay in hotel rooms while receiving assistance from the Red Cross.
Jessop has consistently described this incident as one of the most “complex” fires that city officials have encountered.
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