Toronto

Flights cancelled, hundreds forced from Terminal 1 following Pearson airport fire

Hundreds of people were forced out of Terminal One at Toronto's Pearson International Airport Sunday evening after a fire in a secure area, according to Peel police.

Outbound international flights and inbound arrivals were suspended, but have since resumed

Police said the fire was extinguished without any major injuries. Authorities are encouraging passengers to check their flight status before arriving at Pearson International, especially those scheduled to travel to the U.S. Sunday evening or Monday. (Submitted/James Agnew)

Hundreds of people were forced out of Terminal One at Toronto's Pearson International Airport Sunday evening after a fire in a secure area, according to Peel police.

Following the incident, all flights to the U.S. scheduled to depart from terminal one Sunday evening were cancelled, according to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA). 

Outbound international flights and inbound arrivals were suspended at the terminal, but have since resumed.

Police said the fire was extinguished without any major injuries, but a few patients were treated by paramedics for smoke-related injuries.

A passenger in the terminal at the time of the incident, who later had to leave, said she saw smoke coming out of a display stand from a duty-free shop. 

"Significant" amounts of water and smoke remained in the area following the incident, according to police. 

Police are encouraging passengers to check their flight status before arriving, especially those scheduled to travel to the U.S. Sunday evening or Monday. 

'Everyone was kind of in awe and shock'

Passenger Kendall Wilson said she had already been processed by security for her 8 p.m. flight to Phoenix when everyone around her froze, noticing smoke in the air around them.

That's when Wilson noticed smoke coming out of a display stand in a nearby shop. 

Kendall Wilson, a passenger who was evacuated, captured this photo of heavy smoke in terminal one Sunday evening. (Submitted/Kendall Wilson )

She said she saw customer service representatives at the shop, walking around frantically

"Everyone was kind of in awe and shock," Wilson said, adding she got separated from her mother who was also flying to Phoenix with her. 

Luckily, Wilson was able to FaceTime her to see that she was okay.

"Smoke was coming quite steadily, it was quite shocking."

Comments

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Become a CBC Account Holder

Join the conversation  Create account

Already have an account?

now