Full Breakdown
Three-Alarm Suspicious Fire Ravages Abandoned Toronto Building
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Wednesday night, fire crews responded to multiple calls around 9:30 p.m. for a blaze at an abandoned structure on Matilda and Munro streets in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. The fire quickly escalated to a three-alarm incident, producing heavy smoke and flames that forced temporary closures of the Gardiner Expressway, Don Valley Parkway, Queen Street and Dundas Street. By early Thursday, the main fire was out, but sections of the building’s walls and ceiling had collapsed, and investigators remained on scene.
Background and Site History
The building, formerly known as the Jam Factory and previously used as a live-event space and coffee-company venue, has been vacant for several years. Its long-term abandonment left it exposed to structural decay, a factor cited by fire officials when describing the rapid wall and ceiling collapses during the incident.
Official Statements and Response
Toronto Police spokesperson Cindy Chung said the fire is being investigated as suspicious, emphasizing that the cause, origin and circumstances remain unknown. Fire Services Chief Jim Jessop described the scene as “heavy, heavy flames” and noted that crews deployed master streams, aerial devices and a tower unit to contain the blaze. He added that one police officer required hospital treatment for minor smoke inhalation, while a male in his 30s was taken for non-life-threatening injuries. Building inspectors were dispatched to assess structural integrity, and the fire department continued monitoring hot spots into Thursday morning.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Upon arrival, we were met with heavy, heavy flames and fire coming out through the roof,” — Jim Jessop, fire chief
- “The bulk of the fire has been knocked down. We have had a number of collapses of the wall and the ceiling, and we are continuing to deal with hot spots,” — Jim Jessop, fire chief
Impact and Ongoing Investigation
Road closures were lifted around 3 a.m. Thursday, restoring traffic flow on the Gardiner Expressway at Jarvis Street and the northbound lanes of the Don Valley Parkway at Don Roadway. Toronto Fire Services remained on site for structural assessments, and police continued to treat the incident as suspicious while gathering evidence. No further injuries were reported.