Public Safety
Firefighters Contain Blaze in Abandoned Downtown Hotel
A late-night fire broke out in a shuttered hotel on Queen Street, prompting road closures and a swift response from fire crews. No injuries were reported.
By Feather Sand Chronicles Editorial Team | April 20, 2025 at 10:44
Toronto firefighters battled a dramatic blaze late Friday night at an abandoned hotel on Queen Street West, prompting road closures and widespread concern from neighbouring businesses and residents. The fire broke out around 11:30 PM and quickly consumed the upper floors of the derelict structure.
Emergency crews arrived within minutes to find flames shooting from the roof of the five-storey building, which has sat vacant for more than a decade. The hotel, once a boutique destination in the early 2000s, has become a magnet for trespassers and unauthorized occupants in recent years.
Due to safety concerns, firefighters took a defensive approach, attacking the flames from the exterior with aerial ladders and preventing the blaze from spreading to adjacent storefronts. Smoke drifted several blocks east, prompting a temporary evacuation of nearby apartments.
Toronto Fire Services District Chief Carla Mancini said the building posed unique hazards. 'It’s structurally compromised, which makes entry extremely dangerous. Our crews focused on containment and ensuring the safety of neighbouring properties,' she said during a media update.
No injuries were reported, but the operation drew more than 50 personnel and multiple engines. TTC service was briefly disrupted as streetcar routes were rerouted around Queen and Spadina to allow emergency access and crowd management.
Local shop owners gathered outside their businesses, some fearing damage from water and debris. 'It was terrifying—smoke was pouring into our shop and we could feel the heat from across the street,' said Maria Desai, owner of a nearby vintage clothing store.
By 2:00 AM, the bulk of the flames had been extinguished, though crews remained on-site through the early morning hours to douse hotspots and assess structural integrity. Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to ensure the fire hadn’t spread to adjacent walls.
The origin of the fire is currently under investigation. Authorities are looking into whether squatters may have been inside at the time, though no individuals were found on-site during the emergency response. The cause has not yet been determined.
Toronto Fire Services has been called to the property multiple times in recent years for minor incidents, including small fires and unauthorized access. Several neighbourhood groups have pushed for redevelopment or demolition of the long-abandoned site.
City officials say this latest fire may finally spur action. 'We need to have a serious conversation about liability and the future of these vacant buildings. They’re not just eyesores—they’re dangers,' said Councillor Joe Cressy, who represents the downtown ward.
The damaged building has been cordoned off with fencing, and structural engineers will evaluate whether it can be salvaged. In the meantime, the city is urging property owners to secure vacant buildings and report trespassing or suspicious activity immediately.