Statement from City of Toronto’s Fire Chief

Earlier today, the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal (OFMEM) provided me with a copy of the Fire Investigation Report for the August 21, 2018 fire at 650 Parliament Street.

The OFMEM determined that a catastrophic failure of the electrical system in the building caused an explosion in the electrical room, and smaller explosions and fires throughout the building. 

Our team will review the fire investigation and fire engineering reports in detail in order to gain a full understanding as to the origin, cause and circumstance analysis that has been completed and determinations that have been reached by the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal.

Toronto Fire Services will not comment further on the report until we have had the opportunity to review it fully.