Fire destroys four vacant townhouses in Markham

A large fire destroyed four newly built, vacant townhouses in Markham late on Monday night. Officials estimate the damage at over $5 million, but thankfully, no one was injured. The fire ignited in a block of townhouses on Old Kennedy Road, near Aldergrove Drive, around 11 p.m. Markham fire crews responded quickly. Fire Chief Chris Nearing reported that firefighters managed to save 18 other units under construction. By the time firefighters arrived, the four townhouses were fully engulfed in flames. Nearing stated that the fire was too advanced for them to enter the units. They took a defensive approach, focusing on preventing the fire from spreading to other houses nearby. The fire may have been fueled by propane cylinders used in construction, although no explosions occurred. Nearby residents reported seeing the flames and hearing sirens. One resident, Nikhita Maganti, expressed her shock and concern for nearby homes. Initially, Ontario's Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) was set to investigate the cause of the fire. However, due to the extensive damage, the City of Markham ended the investigation. The scene is now in the hands of insurance companies for their own inquiries.