Crews investigate fatal fire at Toronto home for seniors

CP24’s Courtney Heels has the latest on the investigation into a building fire at Yonge St. and Carlton St. that left one person dead.

A fire at a home for seniors in Toronto’s downtown core has left one person dead, officials say.

The blaze broke out at building located at Yonge and Carlton streets shortly before 10 p.m.

Fire Chief Jim Jessop told reporters Monday that a fire was found in a unit on the eighth floor.

Crews had to force their way into the unit and were met with extreme heat and heavy black smoke when they entered the apartment, Jessop noted.

Following a primary search, firefighters located one occupant in their bed. The victim, who was found without vital signs, was transported to the care of paramedics where they were subsequently pronounced dead, the fire chief added.

“I want to offer our deepest condolences to all of those impacted by this fatal fire last night,” Jessop said.

The fire has been knocked down and the scene is being held for an investigation.

Investigators with Toronto Fire have been called in to probe the cause, origin, and circumstances surrounding the deadly blaze.

Toronto police and the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) have also been notified.

It is too early to tell whether there were working smoke detectors in the unit, Jessop said.