Vaughan firefighters quickly extinguish fire at top of condo building

Cause of blaze under investigation

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 2, 2019
Aileen Zangouei

Two people were taken to hospital with minor smoke inhalation injuries following a fire at a condominium building under construction in Vaughan.

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services were called to one of the Expo City Towers on Hwy. 7 for reports of heavy black smoke billowing from the top of the tower.

The call came Oct. 1 at around 11:48 a.m., and before Vaughan Fire arrived on scene, the building went through its evacuation protocols.

Most of the occupants at the time of the fire were construction workers, Vaughan fire chief Deryn Rizzi said.

Firefighters were able to use the elevator to get to the 28th floor using an "offensive strategy," Rizzi said, meaning the firefighters combated the blaze from within or on top of the structure.

Firefighters went on the roof of the structure and found a smaller structure on fire.

According to Rizzi, Vaughan firefighters extinguished the fire quickly.

Three people were on the roof and suffered from minor smoke inhalation injuries.

They were taken down to be treated by paramedics, and two of them were taken to hospital.

York regional police were also on scene.

Six Vaughan Fire trucks were on scene, including four engines, one rescue and one ladder, Rizzi said.

What made it an "incredibly fast" rescue and so successful were the "preplanned efforts" of Vaughan Fire, Rizzi said, adding she is "very proud."

Vaughan Fire takes a strong initiative in pre-planning its efforts, and sees buildings under construction as a "changing hazard," she said. Therefore, firefighters plan their rescues and make themselves aware of things such as available tools, entrances and exits, which aided them in the Oct. 1 rescue.

Vaughan Fire is currently investigating the cause of the fire, and reported the incident to the Ontario fire marshal's office.