Toronto fire crews responded to a two-alarm rooftop fire at a downtown building under construction at 296 Richmond Street West near John Street on Friday night.
Crews were called to the scene just after 6 p.m. and confirmed an active blaze upon arrival.
Aerial footage captured intense flames and thick black smoke billowing from the roof of the six-storey commercial building. At one point, video showed a powerful explosion, with flames shooting high into the air.
WATCH: Explosion on a roof of a building in Toronto, no injuries reported. Appears to be next to the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto. pic.twitter.com/MVMy0a5bYu
— Resist Wire (@ResistWire) March 27, 2026
Authorities said multiple explosions were reported as items on the roof began detonating, with debris potentially falling onto the street below.
Fire officials later confirmed that up to three propane cylinders on the rooftop ruptured during the blaze, contributing to the explosions. Crews were able to secure the remaining cylinders and eventually bring the fire under control.
Witnesses described the moments as chaotic. One person nearby said they heard “earth-shattering” bangs that shook surrounding buildings, with windows rattling as the explosions went off.
BREAKING: Explosion on roof of a high-rise in Toronto, fire crews on scene as large plume of black smoke seen. pic.twitter.com/JPqU1BtOGC
— Resist Wire (@ResistWire) March 27, 2026
People in nearby businesses were initially unsure what was happening before realizing the seriousness of the situation. Smoke could be smelled throughout the area as emergency crews rushed in.
Video from the scene showed large plumes of smoke rising into the sky, along with visible fire burning across the rooftop. Emergency responders conducted a full search of the building and confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Police said Richmond Street West was closed between Peter and Duncan Streets, with pedestrian access also restricted as crews worked to contain the situation.
The area was especially busy at the time, located near the Rogers Centre, where large crowds were gathered for a Toronto Blue Jays home game.
Officials said the fire has since been extinguished, but the cause and origin remain under investigation. Early indications suggest propane cylinders may have played a role in the explosions, though investigators have not confirmed a definitive cause.
This is a breaking story, updates will follow.
