Thorncliffe Park condo fire burns into 3rd day as crews fight ‘smoldering’ blaze in a confined space

TFS Acting Division Commander Robert Hewson speaks to reporters about the "very slow" progression to battle the blaze.

Toronto fire crews are entering a third straight day battling a stubborn blaze at two Thorncliffe Park apartment towers, with officials warning there is still no timeline for residents to return home.

Emergency crews were first called to 11 Thorncliffe Park Dr. and 21 Overlea Boulevard at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon for what was initially a two-alarm fire. However, the situation quickly escalated and was at one point declared a five-alarm blaze.

• Crews still trying to put out fire at 2 East York condo buildings that’s been burning for more than 24 hours

Previously, officials confirmed the fire to have originated from an electrical issue, forcing the evacuation of all 408 units across the two high-rise buildings.

Despite round-the-clock efforts, crews say access challenges inside the structures continue to slowly progress, as hundreds of displaced residents wait for answers.

‘Very slow’ progress, officials say

Speaking to reporters at Saturday’s news conference, Toronto Fire Services Acting Division Commander Robert Hewson said crews have remained on site overnight as the fire continues to burn in hard-to-reach areas between the buildings.

“We have maintained crews and active firefighting throughout the night. Progression, as before, is still very slow. It’s access issues to this fire (that’s the issue),” Hewson said Saturday.

He described the blaze as persistent but contained within the structures.

“The fire is still burning behind the walls. I would describe it as a smoldering fire in a very tight, confined space. And it is still burning and smoldering in there,” he said.

Because the fire is trapped between two high-rise buildings, Hewson said crews have little direct visibility.

“It is pressed in between two high rise walls. We will not have visibility on it. We have very limited access,” he said.

While officials say conditions are stable, Hewson cautioned that does not mean the end is near.

“But progress... I look at it as positive, because things aren’t getting hotter and air quality is remaining the same, but that doesn’t indicate that we’re close to the end or anything like that,” he said.

He added that this particular case is unique and standard tactics used to extinguish flames are limited.

“The other thing that’s quite different is the access to it, where we use large quantities of water to put out fire, this limits us to access points that where we can put specific amounts of water in or it just comes back at us,” Hewson said.

Hundreds displaced, no return timeline

“We’re thinking about the residents, and we’re thankful they’re in comfortable shelter (at hotels), we thank them for their patience. We don’t have answers for them at this time, it’s their safety that we’re taking this much precaution, and there’s no timeline attached to it,” Hewson said.

Olivia Chow, who visited the scene Friday, said the city is working with the Red Cross to support those forced from their homes.

“My heart goes out to all the of residents that had to leave their homes last night. We are here for you. You are not alone,” Chow said.

The Red Cross has previously said it is providing emergency accommodations and food for 114 people.