Toronto Metropolitan University's Independent Student Newspaper Since 1967

Photo: Annie Arnone
Campus News News

UPDATE: Ryerson security guard who inhaled smoke in fire now back to work


By Raneem Alozzi and Sherina Harris

A security guard who transported to the hospital March 1 after inhaling smoke from a fire in Ryerson University’s George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre has been treated and is now back to work.

The staff member was released the same night they were admitted, according to Tanya Poppleton, the associate director of security and emergency services.

Toronto Fire was dispatched to the scene at 7:33, according to Toronto Fire Services Capt. Adrian Ratushniak.

Firefighters located smoke in a staircase and put out a fire in a mechanical room in the south end of the building.

Ratushniak said the security guard was assessed by paramedics before being transported to the hospital. He said he was unaware of why the security guard was present in the building.

Church Street was closed between Dundas and Gerrard streets and the building was evacuated, according to Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook.

Fire crews arrived and found smoke outside of the building and in a stairwell, and upgraded the call to a working fire response.

Police received a call about a fire inside George Vari engineering building at 7:47 p.m. to assist with closing the streets and evacuating the building.

No further injuries were reported.

In a tweet, Ryerson said the building will reopen on March 2.

This story has been updated from its original version.

Leave a Reply