Grant
Administrator
Five-alarm fire torches trendy T.O. restaurant
toronto.ctv.ca
More than 130 firefighters battled a five-alarm blaze inside a trendy restaurant in Toronto's tony neighbourhood of Yorkville on Wednesday.
The fire was at hotspot Sassafraz, which has been a longtime favourite hangout for celebrities and scenesters alike, especially during the Toronto International Film Festival.
The blaze started at about 11 a.m. and reached the three-alarm level by noon. It quickly reached four alarm and then five.
Police first got reports of black smoke coming from the back of the downtown restaurant, which is located at 100 Cumberland St., between Bay Street and Avenue Road.
Fire Chief Bill Stewart said the fire began in the kitchen and spread quickly, including to the attic.
He said renovation work being done inside made the fight more difficult.
Firefighters were instructed to get off the restaurant's roof because of fears it could collapse. There are no reports of injuries.
The blaze was declared under control by about 2 p.m. Dozens of fire trucks helped douse the flames.
Kumari Colson, who owns Kumari's clothing store across the street, told CTV.ca the blaze appeared to be contained at one point, but then reignited, sending out more smoke.
Streets in the area were closed for hours, causing traffic backlogs.
Damage to the eatery is estimated at $2.5 million.
Stewart told reporters the cause of the fire is not suspicious, but noted the investigation is still in the early stages. He said the initial fire report came from a cell phone caller.
"I talked to the chef and he said the actual deep fryer caught on fire," said a man named Brad, who works next door.
Officials don't know if the building can be saved.
"I think it's really sad because it's a restaurant a lot of people frequented over the years," said local resident Jack Bendavid.
toronto.ctv.ca
More than 130 firefighters battled a five-alarm blaze inside a trendy restaurant in Toronto's tony neighbourhood of Yorkville on Wednesday.
The fire was at hotspot Sassafraz, which has been a longtime favourite hangout for celebrities and scenesters alike, especially during the Toronto International Film Festival.
The blaze started at about 11 a.m. and reached the three-alarm level by noon. It quickly reached four alarm and then five.
Police first got reports of black smoke coming from the back of the downtown restaurant, which is located at 100 Cumberland St., between Bay Street and Avenue Road.
Fire Chief Bill Stewart said the fire began in the kitchen and spread quickly, including to the attic.
He said renovation work being done inside made the fight more difficult.
Firefighters were instructed to get off the restaurant's roof because of fears it could collapse. There are no reports of injuries.
The blaze was declared under control by about 2 p.m. Dozens of fire trucks helped douse the flames.
Kumari Colson, who owns Kumari's clothing store across the street, told CTV.ca the blaze appeared to be contained at one point, but then reignited, sending out more smoke.
Streets in the area were closed for hours, causing traffic backlogs.
Damage to the eatery is estimated at $2.5 million.
Stewart told reporters the cause of the fire is not suspicious, but noted the investigation is still in the early stages. He said the initial fire report came from a cell phone caller.
"I talked to the chef and he said the actual deep fryer caught on fire," said a man named Brad, who works next door.
Officials don't know if the building can be saved.
"I think it's really sad because it's a restaurant a lot of people frequented over the years," said local resident Jack Bendavid.
