Two firefighters were hospitalized after being injured while battling a large house fire in Toronto’s East York area on Monday evening.
The blaze broke out just before 6 p.m. at a residence on Yardley Avenue, near Victoria Park and St. Clair avenues, in the Topham Park neighborhood. Toronto Fire quickly upgraded the incident to a two-alarm fire as flames and heavy smoke engulfed the home and spread to nearby properties. A car in the driveway also caught fire.
Several nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, but fortunately, no occupants were inside either home, and no other injuries have been reported. Fire crews continue to monitor the area for hot spots.
The exact nature of the injuries sustained by the two firefighters has not been released. Toronto police have advised drivers to avoid the area due to delays, and Yardley Avenue remains closed between Victoria Park and Barron Avenue. Drivers are being urged to use alternate routes.