Residents of 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive in Toronto begin returning home after a five-week displacement due to a complex five-alarm fire that started in November
Residents Return to 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive After Fire
Some residents are moving back into their apartments at 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive. They were displaced for more than five weeks due to a complex, five-alarm fire.
Details of the Fire Incident
| Date of Fire | Location | Number of Displaced Residents | Fire Chief | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 27 | 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive and 21 Overlea Boulevard | Over 400 | Jim Jessop | Fire extinguished on Dec. 15 |
Over 400 residents of 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive and 21 Overlea Boulevard were forced to move out of their homes when the fire broke out in the walls between the neighboring buildings. High carbon monoxide levels were detected, prompting the evacuation of both buildings.
The fire took until Dec. 15 to be extinguished. This was due to the gap between the buildings being filled with compressed wood material, which burns slowly. Fire Chief Jim Jessop called the fire “unprecedented and extremely challenging.” He noted that the space between the walls was only 25 to 50 millimeters, making it hard for firefighters to access.
Investigation and Return Plans
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. It is believed to have started in the building’s parking garage before spreading upward. Residents reported that management sent a memo approving a phased-in return to their units starting Sunday evening into Monday morning.
Kamal Gogna, Chief Building Official and Executive Director of Toronto Building, stated that the City of Toronto confirmed all units, except for 16 along the shared wall, could be reoccupied. Residents in the neighboring building, 21 Overlea Boulevard, remain displaced and have not received an official re-occupancy date.
This news is welcomed by many residents of Thorncliffe Park who have been staying in local hotels over the holidays. One woman expressed her disappointment about the incident but praised the building’s management for their efforts during this time.
Renovation crews are still on site. A resident of 21 Overlea Boulevard mentioned they are hopeful to return home by next week.
