Just before 7:30 a.m., Toronto Fire responded to a house fire at 14 Calais Avenue, near Lexfield Avenue and Richard Clarke Drive.
The fire appears to have started in the basement.
“They arrived to discover what we call fire that works. So the presence of smoke and flames. The first priority, always, for crews is to get in and do a search and rescue,” Fire Chief Matthew Pegg told CP24 at the scene.
During their investigation, crews located a man in the basement, who was then removed from the home.
The man, who is 61, was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition but was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later, Pegg said.
“First and foremost, we extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends and everyone affected by this tragic fire.”
It appears only one person was home at the time of the fire, according to Pegg.
The fire is now under control and crews are on scene checking for signs.
The fire was upgraded to a third alarm at its peak with about 70 firefighters on the scene.
“So technically we went to a third. It’s what I would describe as a pre-emptive third alert that operated mostly at a second alert level, but the incident commander, right, escalated to a third alert just to make sure we had enough people,” Pegg said.
The cause and origin of the fire are unknown.
Pegg said wet weather today made it difficult to extinguish the fire.
“Operating in this type of temperature and humidity is really very difficult for firefighters in their protective gear. So a lot of attention is paid to them by our detox specialists and our colleagues at Toronto Paramedic Services to make sure their core body temperatures are safe and everyone is safe and accounted for.”
An investigation is underway and the Fire Marshal’s Office has been notified.
