Those working in downtown Toronto today may have to deal with traffic diversions as the city woke to a 6-alarm blaze at Queen St. W and Portland Streets. The fire broke out around 5 a.m. in a three-storey building.
The
flames quickly spread to other buildings in the area made up of storefronts with apartments on the upper levels. Emergency workers are still attacking the blaze. There are concerns about the structural damage on the block.
"The walls of the structure are beginning to buckle," said Chief Bill Stewart.
Black smoke can be seen from the area. At least 30 emergency vehicles are on scene. Firefighters will be on scene for most of the day.
No injuries have been reported. TTC buses are in the area sheltering those who had to leave their homes. The Bathurst and Queen St. W. streetcars are being diverted around the area.
The area is filled with fabric stores and hip one of a kind clothing stores.
Update: The Spadina streetcar is not running along this area at all.
