Toronto police are investigating a suspicious three-alarm fire that broke out Wednesday night at the vacant former Jam Factory in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood.
Emergency crews responded shortly after 9:30 p.m. near Matilda and Munro streets after reports of heavy smoke and flames. The fire was escalated to three alarms, with firefighters using aerial equipment and multiple high-volume water streams to contain the blaze.
Although the main fire has been brought under control, crews remained at the scene Thursday morning to extinguish hot spots and search the building. Sections of the walls and ceilings collapsed during the fire, forcing firefighters to wait until conditions were safe before entering.
Police said there was no evidence to indicate anyone was inside, though the search was continuing.
One police officer was taken to hospital for minor smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and police are treating the incident as suspicious.
Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop said the building had been vacant for several years, adding that the city had not been notified of its vacant status. He noted that securing the property against unauthorized entry is the owner’s responsibility.
The city authorized the partial demolition of the vacant building to support firefighting operations and allow investigators to safely search the damaged structure. Because the building stands at close proximity to the Don Valley Parkway, the work requires a temporary highway closure.
The northbound DVP will be closed from the eastbound Gardiner Expressway at Jarvis Street to Dundas Street from 7:30 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday. The Don Roadway, Eastern Avenue and Queen Street ramps will also be closed.