One adult is life-threateningly injured after four alarms in the western end of Toronto

One person is life-threateningly injured and three others are lightly injured after a fire with four alarms in the western end of Toronto on Saturday morning.

Around. At 6:15 a.m., firefighters responded to a fire in a three-story apartment building on 828 Shaw St., north of Bloor Street.

“On arrival we were greeted by heavy smoke and flames. The fire escalated rapidly,” Acting Fire Chief Jim Jessop told reporters at the scene.

There were reports of black smoke and flames coming from the second floor and roof of the building, firefighters said.

Jessop said 11 people were rescued from the burning building and four were transported to the hospital.

One adult sustained life-threatening injuries and the other three suffered minor injuries.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

From 10 a.m., Jessop said the crews were still working to put out the fire.

“We’ve had a series of internal collapses. We still have not completed our primary and secondary searches throughout the building. And we’re just actively fighting the fire at the moment,” he said.

With this morning’s temperature feeling like -30 with wind cooling, Jessop said the crews work under extremely harsh conditions.

“There’s no doubt, as you can understand, the coldest day of the year. The women and men of the Toronto Fire are just now performing admirably under these very, very difficult conditions. A number of our equipment is freezing. It’s clear, a lot, very cold, but we will be here all day. “

The Canadian Red Cross has participated in the site to help provide shelter.

Roads are blocked in the area as firefighters investigate the matter.