A malfunctioning stove is the cause of a two-alarm fire that forced the evacuation of dozens of residents from a low-rise apartment in Long Branch Monday morning.
Firefighters found smoke on the first floor of the three-storey apartment building at 15 Birchlea Ave. in the Lake Shore Boulevard West and Thirty First Street area after the 4:16 a.m. Feb. 6 call.
Police confirmed late Monday the improperly working stove sparked the blaze.
The fire started in the kitchen of a first-floor unit then migrated through the floors and ceilings to the building's third storey, said Toronto fire district chief Stephan Powell.
Police helped evacuate residents to a waiting TTC shuttle bus.
No injuries were reported. At least one resident was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation, police said.
Damage is estimated at more than $10,000.