Firefighters battle blaze at Toronto mattress factory

A six-alarm fire continues to rage at a memory-foam factory near Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue.

Thirty-five fire trucks and 120 firefighters were battling the fire, which Deputy Fire Chief Mike McCoy said was a large fire for the service.

"The longer it burns, the less there is to burn," he said. "It's going to go on for a long time. I don't think it's getting any worse, it's just moving."

A column of dark smoke could be seen from around the city and water rushed down from the factory on Fairbank Avenue as firefighters continued to fight the flames throughout the morning.

Toronto Fire Services could not confirm the number of buildings evacuated. Area residents were warned to stay out of the smoke, keep their doors and windows closed and call 911 if they have any concerns.

"The building systematically continues to collapse," Mr. McCoy said.

He said one section of the building to the west has a firewall that is holding. "We're concentrating a lot of our efforts on that side of the building … because if we can hold it there, that's going to help us substantially," he said.

The fire broke out at about 9 a.m. Thursday.

"It's always the unknown. That's our worst fear," Mr. McCoy said.