East York Highrise Fire Sends One Person to Hospital: Emergency Response Underway
Rapid response to a two-alarm fire at East York high-rise saves resident; investigation ongoing.
Emergency teams responded swiftly on Monday afternoon after a two-alarm fire broke out at a high-rise residential building located at 5 Wakunda Place in East York. Residents and bystanders reported seeing heavy smoke billowing from a unit on the structure’s first floor, prompting immediate concern and alerting authorities to the unfolding incident.
Toronto Fire Services arrived at the scene around 1:45 p.m., deploying multiple crews to tackle the blaze. Firefighters focused their efforts on containing the flames to prevent them from spreading to other units or floors. Dramatic rescue efforts culminated in one person being swiftly extracted from the affected apartment. The individual was administered emergency care by paramedics before being transported to hospital for further treatment. Fortunately, no additional injuries were reported among residents or emergency personnel.
By just before 3:00 p.m., fire crews had successfully knocked down the fire, enabling returning residents to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The building, temporarily filled with the acrid smell of smoke and the sound of sirens, soon saw a return to calm as operations shifted toward investigation and cleanup. Fire officials noted that the cause of the blaze remains under investigation, with specialists expected to examine the unit and surrounding areas for evidence in the coming days.
Authorities commended the rapid response of both emergency crews and building staff, whose coordinated actions ensured the safety of dozens of residents. Further updates are anticipated as investigators work to determine what sparked the fire and whether any additional precautions may be necessary for the high-rise community moving forward.
