By Edward Lander

Fire crews are battling a blaze at Yonge Street’s Zanzibar Tavern, an adult entertainment venue just steps from campus.

In a phone interview with The Eyeopener, Toronto Fire Services (TFS) said the bulk of the fire is extinguished.

“Crews are remaining on scene just to check for any hot spots,” said a spokesperson for TFS. “They’ll remain until they can confirm that the fire is completely out.”

The blaze broke out early Sunday morning. In a post on X at 7:58 a.m., TFS wrote that, “Crews are actively fighting fire with areas of the structure now deemed compromised.”

According to TFS, crews responded to thick black smoke on the roof of the business.

The university has issued a TMU Safe Alert, advising students to avoid the area. As a precaution, the Student Learning Centre is closed.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. However, TFS told The Eye their investigations team has been engaged.

This story was updated at 11:00 a.m. on Aug. 16.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.