Three-alarm fire at former jam factory near Don Valley Parkway and Queen Street East considered to be ‘suspicious’

A police officer was treated for minor injuries after a three-alarm fire at a former industrial building in the Don Valley Parkway and Queen Street East area last night.

Toronto Fire Services were called to 2 Matilda St., for a fire at an empty building located at 2 Matilda St., just east of the Don Valley Parkway between Dundas Street East and Queen Street East, at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The building was on fire with visible flames and smoke when firefighters arrived.

The three-alarm fire saw more than 30 Toronto Fire Services vehicles respond to the call. The blaze also forced a temporary shutdown of the northbound ramp onto the Don Valley Parkway from Queen Street East, the northbound lanes of the DVP from Lake Shore Boulevard East as well as eastbound Gardiner Expressway lanes leading to the DVP.

The fire at the former Merchants of Green Coffee Café and Jam Factory saw the building suffer significant damage including portions of the ceiling collapsing.

Toronto Fire said the building has been vacant for a number of years.

The building’s history is believed to go back to 1868 when it was built as a factory for the Sherriff Jam Company.

Toronto police confirmed to Beach Metro Community News that the fire is being treated as suspicious.