Massive fire breaks out at construction project in Vaughan, Ont., nearby residents evacuated – Toronto

An early morning fire has destroyed around 40 townhomes in a complex under construction in Vaughan, Ont.

York Regional Police say they received a call just after 4 a.m. on Sunday for a large structure fire in the area of Rutherford Road and Highway 27.

Police told Global News that 40 unoccupied units were involved in the fire, which spread quickly due to wind.

The flames also spread to a fire truck, police said, but no injuries were reported.

Several occupied homes in the area were evacuated for several hours as a precautionary measure. York Region transit buses were sent to scene to shelter displace residents, police said.

Residents have since been able to return to their homes.

Police are asking the public to avoid the area, as road closures remain in effect.

Once it’s safe to do so, police will work with the fire marshal to determine the cause of the blaze and whether there was any criminal involvement.

— with files from The Canadian Press

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