IN PHOTOS: Businesses damaged, residents displaced after massive fire in midtown London

Multiple people nave been displaced and several businesses have been damaged after a fire tore through a building in central London. Brent Lale reports.

As flames ripped through multiple buildings in midtown London, residents started pounding on neighbouring doors.

“People were screaming, ‘Fire! Fire! Fire!” said Terry, a resident in the upper floor apartments who wished not to use his last name. “I looked out back and it was a good flame going on out back there. We evacuated my house and everyone else’s house and started banging on doors.”

Multiple fire crews arrived at the 400 block of Dundas Street at Maitland Street around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday.

PHOTO GALLERY: Large fire tears through central London building

Fire was ripping through the commercial and residential buildings and flames had breached the roof.

“We woke up to police banging on our door and asked us to get out because there was a fire beside our building,” said Yash Singh, a resident whose friend had to evacuate with only shorts on during the frigid morning. “The firefighters were on time and they got us out. I’m thankful to them because they also got us a bus to stay warm and they also got us coffee. We are safe and we need to thank them.”

Between 10 and 12 residents were displaced and Red Cross is assisting with living arrangements.

As fire crews fought the blaze, the London Police Service blocked off the surrounding intersections.

“We had approximately 10 units and 40 firefighters respond quickly to knock it down,” said Gary Bridge, deputy chief of the London Fire Department. “As a result, we have no injuries to any residents as well as firefighters, and we prevented any further damage to exposed building as a result of the great work.”

Fire crews did a primary search of the buildings including 461-471 Dundas St., which has residential units on the upper floors, and businesses such as London Burgers and Enkanto Restaurant and Addis Ababa Restaurant.

“Fire actually breached the roof as a result and we did activate aerial operations,” said Bridge.

“We had two aerials here and it does appear that the fire came up through the back of the building. Three businesses were significantly damaged and will be closed for some time. For the neighbouring businesses, we’re looking to determine if, and when they can reopen,” he explained.

After their primary search determined no people were still in the building, crews pulled back to the unstable structure and went into defensive mode.

As crews worked through the morning to put out hotspots in the roof, the residents reflected on the chaotic experience.

“Thank God for the fire trucks showing up very, very fast,” said Terry. “If it wasn’t for that, there would probably be more damage. Thank you to London Transit for bringing a bus for us to sit on for my family. It sucks that my mom had to sit out in this. She’s an older lady and it’s freezing out. I’m just glad everyone is okay.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified.

London fire says damage is expected to exceed $1 million.