Four people were hospitalized, including two children, following a fire at an apartment building in downtown Toronto early Tuesday morning.
The blaze broke shortly after 3 a.m. in a unit on the eighth floor of a highrise on Ontario Street, near Parliament Street and Bloor Street East.
Toronto Fire said the flames were quickly knocked down.
Heavy damage could be seen on the exterior of the building on Tuesday morning.
Police said four occupants of the building were taken to the hospital for treatment. Their injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.
Some people were also treated on scene for smoke inhalation.
One man will be admitted to the hospital for second-degree burns, Toronto Fire confirmed, while the other three people, a woman and two kids, ages 12 and 14, are under observation.
Division Commander John Carson said fire investigators will be determining the cause, origin and circumstances surrounding the fire.
E-bikes were on the balcony of the unit of origin, and lithium-ion batteries were inside, he noted.
“With lithium ion batteries, make sure you use batteries that are only designated for the items that you have,” Carson said.
Smoke alarms were activated, he said.
Police are not engaged in the investigation, and there is nothing to suggest that the fire is suspicious, Carson added.
The occupants of the unit of origin have been displaced, but all other residents of the building are able to access their units.
‘Entire family hospitalized’
In a statement posted on Facebook, local Coun. Chris Moise said on Tuesday morning Fire Chief Jim Jessop informed him of a fire that broke out on the balcony of a unit at 666 Ontario St., that has “left an entire family hospitalized.”
Moise went on to say that the home had working smoke detectors and thankfully there does not appear to be any serious injuries. He wished those affected a “quick and full recovery,” adding that one of the victims was hospitalized with second-degree burns, while the others remain under observation.
The displaced family will be provided with accommodations, he said, noting that no other residents of the building have been forced from their home due to the blaze.
The Toronto Centre representative said that the cause of the fire, which was quickly brought under control, is unknown. He added that Toronto Fire Services Investigations is reviewing the incident as an e-bike was located on the balcony where the fire occurred.
Stronger rules sought for lithium-ion batteries
Last year, Moise, along with Coun. Alejandra Bravo successfully introduced a motion at Toronto City Council to seek stronger federal regulations for unregulated and uncertified lithium-ion batteries.
Council also asked the provincial government to amend the Fire Code to “better address these safety risks,” he said in the statement.
Moise said City Council has since reaffirmed the need for other levels of government to step in on this issue, as the city does not have the authority to do it alone.
“From speaking with the Fire Chief, Toronto does not have the authority to implement the measures needed to protect residents from lithium-ion battery fires; we need the provincial and federal governments to properly recognize this growing health and safety issue,” he wrote.
Moise is urging residents to ensure their smoke detectors are in working order and that they have a plan of escape should a fire break out at their home. He’s also encouraging people to check in with elderly parents and loved ones to make sure their smoke detectors are in working order and that they have a plan in the case of an emergency.