Fire marshal investigates 'one of the biggest fires' in Richmond Hill's history

All tenants of townhouse complex safe, but 3 cats unaccounted for

Yorkregion.com
July 29, 2020

A massive fire that displaced dozens of residents in south Richmond Hill is currently under investigation by Ontario Fire Marshal.

Several large vehicles were on scene at 75 Weldrick Rd. E. July 28 as Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services continued to assist the OFM in the investigation of the fire, which broke out at the townhouse complex in the afternoon of July 26.

"This is one of the biggest fires that has ever happened (in Richmond Hill)," Daniel Marra, Richmond Hill fire inspector, said July 28. "This has affected the most families."

Everyone was safely evacuated from the building and tenants from 18 units have been displaced, the fire inspector said.

Three cats were unaccounted for following the fire, Marra said.

Richmond Hill, Central York Fire and Vaughan firefighters were called to the area of Weldrick, east of Yonge Street at around 1:55 p.m. on July 26.

It took the crews almost 24 hours to bring the fire under control, the fire inspector said.

"The entire roof is gone," Marra said. "Any fire of this size requires the OFM’s investigation, so we’re not the doing the investigation, but we’re aiding the investigation. Mostly, we’re here for the residents."

Marra has been working at a resident inquiry area set up on site to answer questions from residents.

Most of the tenants may have turned to their relatives or friends for accommodations for the time being, as Fairway Property Management helped reach out to insurance companies, according to property manager Min Zhang.

Zhang said the Red Cross helped provide "emergency accommodations" for some affected families who were forced out of their homes July 26.

A GoFundMe page is expected to be created to help the tenants out, she added.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.