January 21, 2016
A fatality occurred on December 29, 2015 as a result of a fire at 117 Birkdale Rd. The fire resulted in charges for Fire Code violations.
Toronto Fire Services was called to a two-alarm, multi-unit residential fire at 117 Birkdale Rd. at 6:25 a.m. on December 29.
Due to the fatality, an investigation was conducted by the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM). The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Toronto Fire Prevention staff conducted a post-fire inspection to determine compliance with the Fire Code. It was determined that the residence was a rooming house with six bedrooms occupied by nine people. Violations of the Fire Code related to boarding, rooming and lodging houses were noted during the inspection including smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire separations, number of exits and fire-rated doors.
The violations related to early detection (smoke alarms) affected the ability of the occupants to safely evacuate from the building.
Toronto Fire Services laid charges in the Provincial Offences Court against the registered owner of the house and a tenant who was sub-renting to additional occupants.
Violations of the Fire Code are serious public safety concerns and charges can be initiated in the Provincial Offences Court. The penalties for Fire Code violations run up to $50,000 and/or a year in jail for individuals and up to $100,000 for a corporation.
In addition, Municipal Licensing and Standards is proceeding with prosecution under the Scarborough Zoning By-Law regarding the occupancy of this residential home as an 'illegal rooming house'.
Toronto Fire Services is proactive in reducing risk through fire prevention and enforcement strategies against owners who fail to meet the Fire Code and jeopardize the safety of individuals. Toronto Fire Services is committed to ensuring that appropriate measures are taken by property owners to achieve public safety through compliance with the Fire Code and the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.
Toronto Fire Services reminds landlords and tenants they can contact the Fire Prevention division to request an inspection by calling 416-338-9107.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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