A fire that broke out in the basement of a building on Eglinton Avenue in Toronto is now being investigated as suspected arson, according to Toronto police, drawing a heavy response in the early morning hours.
Firefighters were called to 936 Eglinton at around a quarter to three in the morning for a report of a fire. When crews arrived, they made their way to the rear of the building and found smoke, according to the fire service.
Once inside, firefighters carried out a quick knockdown of the blaze in the basement, moving fast to contain it before it could spread further through the structure above.
At one point, smoke was seen billowing from the front of the building, and firefighters brought in an aerial apparatus to help douse the fire from above as they worked to bring it under control.
The people inside had already gotten out on their own. According to the platoon chief, the occupants had self-evacuated, and paramedics said none of those who left the building needed to be taken to hospital.
Toronto police said the fire is being investigated as suspected arson, though the platoon chief could not offer further detail on that front. Investigators appealed to anyone with information to come forward as the probe continued.