A man has been found dead inside an Etobicoke home early Saturday morning. Toronto police and fire crews were called to the area of The Queensway and Royal York Road at approximately 12:30 a.m. Officials tell CP24 that when they arrived it appeared to be a “working fire in the basement.” Speaking to reporters at the scene, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop said crews were immediately met with “heavy, heavy black smoke and high heat.” He also described the conditions as “literally going down into a chimney,” as firefighters made their way into the basement. During their search, firefighters located one individual inside the home. The person was quickly removed from the house and brought outside, but was pronounced deceased at the scene, Jessop said. The person has not yet been identified. Meanwhile, paramedics tell CP24 that they assessed three patients at the scene, but did not transport anyone to hospital. Jessop offered his “deepest sympathies and condolences” to the person’s family and friends, while praising the firefighters who responded. “They did their job and they did it well,” he said, adding that the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal will also be helping the investigation. Investigators are also working to determine how the fire spread and whether there were any fire protection features inside at the time. Still, Jessop said it is “way too early” to tell what caused the fire.
