Eleven people are in hospital and four are in critical condition after a fire at an apartment building in Bradford Monday afternoon.
Fire crews were called to the scene of 114 Holland St. W. at just before 2 p.m. after a fire erupted on the fifth floor of the eight-storey, 84 unit apartment complex.
The fire was coming out from the fifth floor, with several residents trapped on their balconies. Fire apparatus were used to rescue 11 people who were sent to hospital.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those involved," said Bradord Fire Chief Jim Kay in an update with the media on Monday evening.
Fire crews from Bradford, Innisfil and King were on scene wrapping up extinguishing the fire and going floor by floor to have inhabitants shelter in place.
"We have removed those folks systematically," said Kay, noting the crews have had to test the air quality of the floor to ensure it was safe for them to leave their units.
All residents have been transported to the Danube Senior Centre on Simcoe Road where Red Cross and social services are assisting with registration.
Kate Szentesy was in the building when she heard the fire alarm go off.
"I was playing Minecraft with my sister online [when] the alarm went off... I thought it was another fire drill," said Szentesy. "I looked in the hall and saw no smoke but my cat was more freaked out than normal so I opened the balcony door and a bunch of smoke came in. I closed the door and grabbed the cat in the carrier and my bag with my wallet and left!"
Szentesy lives on the first floor on the same side as the unit that caught fire. Currently, she and her cat are safe at her mother's home in Bradford.
"I inhaled a good chuck of smoke and my throat is sore from it!" shares Szentesy. "I was lucky to be on the first floor!"
Local businesses did not hesitate to help those that were displaced from their homes during the fire.
Swiss Chalet prepared soup and salads for 70 people donated to the Danube Centre evacuation centre.
Poliero BBQ also handed out free meals at the centre.
Hay Caramba's Noe Martinez Alanis came in on his day off to make food for the first responders on the scene.
Hacienda Santa Teresa also opened just to make and serve meals to those affected by the fire, and to offer space indoors for anyone needing a retreat from the area temporarily.
Out of the Cold Cafe offered to keep their doors open later in the evening for anyone needing somewhere to go for the time being, as well as being a drop-off point for extra meals donated from local restaurants.
Holland Street was closed from Simcoe Road to Professor Day Drive but will be reopened shortly.
The building suffered structural damage on the 5th and 6th floors and will require a structural engineer to inspect it before residents can return.
"The building will definitely not house any residents this evening," he said.
The Ontario Fire Marshal has been called into assist Bradford Fire with finding out the origins and cause of the fire.
Kay said it is unknown how long residents will be displaced until the structural engineer has surveyed the damage.
"It could be long term for folks on the 5th and 6th floor but hopefully not for the entire building," he speculated.
Fire crews have been into every apartment and will be going through them all again before leaving this evening.
"Chances are we will be here over night to make sure nothing flares up," said Kay.
The Ontario Fire Marshal will be at the scene tomorrow to start the investigation.
