Still no timeline for return for Thorncliffe Park residents displaced by fire that’s been smouldering for 2 weeks

The city says there will be no timeline for when residents can return. Firefighters say the fire is still burning slowly through the building.

The residents of two Thorncliffe Park condo buildings remain displaced, as a fire that broke out two weeks ago is still smouldering.

“This continues to be a complex situation as it continues to smoulder,” City of Toronto spokesperson Russell Baker said in a statement.

The fire in the walls shared by 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive and 21 Overlea Boulevard has been burning since Nov. 27.

It resulted in the evacuation of more than 400 units. The city provided hotel rooms to at least 370 residents, while others were able to get other accommodations.

“At this time, there is no timeline for when residents may safely return to their units but we know it will not be until at least next week as fire suppression is still ongoing,” Baker said on Friday. “Our priority remains ensuring residents can return to their homes as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The cause, origin and circumstances of the fire are unknown.

Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop said last week that his department has never experienced a situation like this, which has “tested every resource Toronto Fire Services has.”

Jessop said crews have not been able to access the inside of the wall to suppress the compressed wood material that’s been burning slowly.

With files from CP24 digital journalist Joanna Lavoie