A high-end Mississauga townhome development burst into flames last night, destroying at least 55 unoccupied homes and leaving a spectacular scene of rubble.

Another fire at the same location in February caused $1 million in losses and damaged six units.

This morning, the devastated remnants of the townhomes resembled Roman ruins – some front facades still standing and piles of brick and blackened beams still smouldering.

Emergency crews arrived at Burnhamthorpe Rd. E. and Ponytrail Dr. to find the fire raging out of control just before 11 p.m., Peel Regional Police said.

Two Mississauga firefighters suffered minor injuries fighting last night's blaze, Const. Wayne Patterson said.

Dorothy Gdyczynski, who lives nearby, looked out her bedroom window last night to see a massive orange cloud. She was one of hundreds of onlookers who gathered at the scene.

"They were just dousing the flames non-stop," she said. "It didn't seem like it was working, it was so intense."

Park View Trail construction manager for Dunpar Homes Julien Diciano said the units were worth between $480,000 and $640,000 and owners were scheduled to move in in a few months.

In February six units at the same site burned down. The cause of that blaze, Diciano said, was arson, and he suspects this fire was also deliberately set.

The fire's cause is still under investigation, although Peel police said they have "no indication this is an arson."

The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office will attend the scene this morning.

With files from Thandiwe Vela and John Rieti

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Read more about: