A third-floor condo fire sent thick clouds of black smoke over part of downtown Toronto on Thursday, forcing scores of people from their homes.

The mid-morning fire and efforts to contain it caused extensive damage to the surrounding units in the 21-storey building on George Street, between Adelaide and Richmond Street East, with windows cracked or blown out and water dripping from the apartment.

The cause of the two-alarm fire was not immediately known. There were no reports of injuries, according to Toronto Fire.

Residents milled about or sat on the sidewalks, unsure of their next steps. One couple, who lived a storey above the fire, said they grabbed their puppy and a few other items as they fled.

“This is Raymond,” Josie Harauz said of her 14-week-old puppy as she sat forlornly on the curb. “He’s a ray of light.”

The couple said it sounded like an explosion had occurred and were sure their condo would also burn as they hastily gathered belongings and fled.

Nick Harauz said he managed to grab his wedding ring from a dresser, but not his wife’s, and throw some things into a bag. He said he had no idea whether his apartment had been damaged or inhabitable.

Witnesses said clearly visible flames and smoke came from the burning apartment. Firefighters got their first call at about 10:20 a.m.

The fire sparked a massive response, with numerous firefighters, ambulances and police responding. Police cordoned off several blocks to traffic and said they had brought in transit buses for shelter.

Firefighters were able to douse the blaze, allowing for traffic to flow.

Fire officials have expressed by concern by the number of fires this year. On April 13, Fire Chief Matthew Pegg told reporters that there’s been a 17 per cent increase of fires compared to the same time last year, which are often due “unattended cooking and careless smoking.”

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