Sudbury fire crews battle 2 early morning blazes

284 Larch Street in downtown Sudbury is boarded up after a fire over the weekend. June 16, 2025 (Alana Everson/CTV Northern Ontario)

Two early morning fires kept Greater Sudbury firefighters busy on Friday, with one blaze causing significant damage to a multi-unit complex and another involving a propane tank explosion.

Larch Street fire displaces residents

At approximately 12:45 a.m., crews responded to reports of a structure fire on Larch Street with smoke and flames visible. Engine 1 and Reserve 1 from the downtown station arrived quickly, confirming a working fire.

“Crews stretched attack lines and had water application in under six minutes from time of dispatch,” the Sudbury Professional Fire Fighters (Local 527) said in a social media post.

Due to the size of the building and fire progression, additional crews from Long Lake, Minnow Lake, New Sudbury, and Val Therese were called in. Off-shift staff were also brought in to assist.

Multiple tenants were rescued and assessed by area paramedics.

“Fire crews rescued two from the building, with one sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” said Greater Sudbury Fire Services Deputy Chief Jesse Oshell in a brief telephone interview with CTV News.

Officials said the fire caused an estimated $300,000 in damage, displacing three people from separate units. Temporary accommodations have been provided to those displaced.

Oshell said fire officials suspect careless smoking was the cause of the blaze.

Lebel Street saw a propane tank explosion

At around 5:20 a.m., crews responded to reports of an explosion and fire at a home on Lebel Street in New Sudbury. Firefighters saw visible smoke while en route.

“Crews were able to contain the fire and prevent extension into the home,” the firefighters’ union said. The blaze, which started on a deck and porch, involved a propane tank explosion from a barbecue.

Oshell described the event as “a small explosion – just to say” of a barbecue propane tank.

The fire was relatively small and contained to the exterior of the home.

No injuries were reported with this incident, and no damage estimate was completed at the home.

Firefighters cleared the Larch Street scene just before 5 a.m., only for most to then respond to the Lebel Street call shortly after.