A devastating fire in a North York apartment building critically injures a woman and two young children
In a tragic incident late Saturday night, a fire broke out in a North York apartment building, leaving a woman and two children critically injured. The incident occurred in a low-rise building near Wilson Avenue and Murray Road, as confirmed by Toronto Fire Services and paramedics.
Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, addressing reporters at the scene, detailed the harrowing rescue operation. “Our first priority always is search and rescue and protecting human life,” Pegg said. Firefighters responded to the emergency call just before 9 p.m. and made rapid entry into the affected third-floor apartment. During the search and rescue operations, they discovered three occupants in critical condition.
Toronto Fire on scene at a 2 alarm fire at Wilson Rd./Dufferin. Crews still active in firefighting operations. Fire Chief Matthew Pegg en route to the scene. pic.twitter.com/ddZPsTHhVa
— Toronto Fire Services (@Toronto_Fire) November 12, 2023
The victims, as identified by Toronto paramedics and reported by CityNews, are a woman believed to be around 40 years old and two toddlers, aged between 1 and 2 years. They were immediately transported to the hospital with life-threatening conditions. The relationship between the woman and the children remains unclear.
Chief Pegg confirmed that the fire escalated to a two-alarm blaze but was successfully brought under control by the fire crew. The building was evacuated, and no further injuries were reported.
Investigations into the cause and origin of the fire are underway. “Our fire investigations team has been notified and is en route,” Pegg stated. “They will work hand in hand with both Toronto Police and the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal.”
The community is shaken by this incident, and efforts are being made to provide support to affected residents and families. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
