2 dead, 10 rescued from fire in Toronto's Kensington Market

Two people are confirmed dead and 10 others were rescued after a fire inside a crowded building in Toronto's Kensington Market early Thursday.

Just before 2 a.m., police from 14 Division responded to a call about smoke in a building at 6 St. Andrew St. Police rescued a woman and a child before Toronto Fire Services arrived shortly after.

Firefighters rescued 10 more individuals living in the multi-storey building, including two without vital signs who have since been confirmed dead. Among those rescued were children.

Toronto Fire Services district chief James Green told CBC News that his crews arrived to a "chaotic scene" at the smoke-filled building.

Firefighters had to make rapid, multiple rescue runs into the building, which is above a restaurant on the first floor, a series of one-room apartments on the second floor, and a larger apartment on the third. Seven people were rescued from a third-floor apartment using a ladder.

Toronto police and firefighters rescued a dozen people from a burning building overnight on St. Andrew Street in Kensington market. (Tony Smyth/CBC)

"It was pretty chaotic in the first few minutes," said Green. "We quickly used every available crew member we had to get into the building and get as many people out as we could."

Green said the rescue was difficult, as firefighters had to search through a series of small apartments while battling thick smoke.

He quoted one of his firefighters, who found a room crowded with people.

He opened the door and "saw nothing but eyes looking at him," said Green.

Toronto Fire Services estimated there were 20 rooms in the building.

Green said the fire was a relatively small one, with all of the victims affected by smoke inhalation.

There was no immediate word on what may have caused the fire. The Ontario fire marshal is investigating.

On mobile? Listen to an official react to the rescue efforts here.