Four people were hospitalized, including two children, following a fire at an apartment building in St. James Town early Tuesday morning. The blaze broke out in a unit on the eighth floor shortly after 3 a.m. at a highrise on Ontario Street, near Parliament and Bloor streets. Toronto Fire said the flames were quickly knocked down some people were treated on scene for smoke inhalation. Heavy damage could be seen on the exterior of the building on Tuesday morning. Police said four occupants of the building were taken to hospital for treatment. Their injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening. One man will be admitted to hospital for second-degree burns, Toronto Fire confirmed, while the other three people, a woman and two kids, ages 12 and 14, are under observation. Division Commander John Carson said fire investigators will be determining the cause, origin and circumstances surrounding the fire. E-bikes were on the balcony of the unit of origin and lithium ion batteries were inside, he noted. “With lithium ion batteries, make sure you use batteries that are only designated for the items that you have,” Carson said. Smoke alarms were activated, he said. Police are not engaged in the investigation and there is nothing to suggest that the fire is suspicious, Carson added. The occupants of the unit of origin have been displaced but all other residents of the building are able to access their units.
