The fire was upgraded to a five-alarm fire shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sunday when more than 100 firefighters and 20 fire trucks were on the scene, near Winona Dr. and Vaughan Rd.

There were initial reports that a "Molotov Cocktail" may have been thrown at one of the houses, starting the fire that eventually spread to the next-door home, said Capt. Mike Strapko, who was on his way to the scene. He couldn't confirm whether a petrol bomb was thrown until he reached the fire, he said.

EMS officials said no one was transported to hospital but a few people were being treated at a nearby school for smoke inhalation.

A TTC bus was on scene while neighbours were being evacuated as a precaution in case the fire spreads further.

About three minutes away from the fire, Sandra Cole was taping up her windows in hopes smoke wouldn't seep into her home.

"I was afraid the smoke would get in," said Cole, who lives near St. Clair Ave. W. and Winona Dr. "All I see is a lot of smoke from my window," she said.

Meanwhile, dozens of firefighters battled a fire that ripped through a home under construction in an affluent neighbourhood early Sunday. Seventeen Toronto fire trucks raced to the scene after flames were spotted about 1:30 a.m. at 62 Larkfield Dr., just north of Leslie St. and Lawrence Ave. E.

Sixty-five firefighters took on the blaze in -7C temperatures. No one was hurt.


Copyright 2010 Toronto Star Newspapers Limited
December 27, 2010