TORONTO

The owner of an illegal Toronto roominghouse that went up in flames last autumn leaving a tenant with life-altering burn injuries has been slapped with $370,000 in fines.

And Toronto Fire Services hopes the provincial court’s ruling serves as a warning to other negligent landlords in the city who fail to ensure their tenants are safe.

“There are many other illegal roominghouses in the city,” Capt. Cathy Robertson said Thursday. “And obviously it’s impossible for our fire prevention officers to inspect every home. But I believe this ruling is going to send a clear message to landlords that they need to be in compliance with the fire codes.”

Eight residents were in the roominghouse at 244 Gladstone Ave., near Dundas and Dufferin Sts., when the flames erupted in the kitchen around 8 a.m. on Oct. 8.

By the time fire crews arrived, four tenants had fled on their own and a neighbour had rescued two others from a second-floor window using a nearby ladder.

Firefighters rushed into the burning house and quickly located two more residents, a man and a woman, on the upper floor.

The woman had no vital signs but paramedics managed to revive her.

She has since recovered, Robertson said.

But the man wasn’t so fortunate.

He suffered burns to 80% of his body and is still in hospital recovering nine months later, Robertson said.

A joint probe into the blaze was conducted by the Ontario Fire Marshal, Toronto Police and Toronto Fire.

No criminal charges were laid against the landlord but investigators found 12 violations of the Ontario Fire Code.

“Among the issues identified were unmaintained smoke alarms, no secondary means of egress, obstructed exits and a lack of an alarm system and fire separation,” Roberston explained.

The owner of the roominghouse, whose name was not released, has now been convicted and ordered to pay $290,000 in fines plus $70,000 in court costs.

Roberston suggested any landlords or tenants with concerns about their dwelling call Fire Prevention at 416-338-9107 to request an inspection.

“Should a fire occur, non-compliance with the Ontario Fire Code will result in legal action,” she warned.