1 dead, 2 injured after fire in Toronto's Little Italy neighbourhood

One person has died and two people were injured after a fire at a building in Toronto's Little Italy neighbourhood on Thursday, officials say.

The fire happened at about 10:20 a.m. on College Street near Manning Avenue, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop told reporters near the scene.

Fire crews reported seeing smoke and flames before arriving, he said.

"The firefighters were met with a deep seated fire with heavy flame and smoke coming out of the windows," Jessop said.

Jessop said crews were able to get into the unit where the fire started and pulled three people from the building.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene, he said. Two women were taken to hospital with minor injuries, according to Toronto paramedics. 

The fire is now under control and crews will be the scene for several hours, Jessop said. 

The fire broke out on a second-floor residential unit in a three-storey commercial building, fire crews said. Jessop said the unit has sustained significant damage.

Nick Flook, a resident who lives next to the unit that was on fire, said it was a little too close to home.

"You couldn't even see out the window, just pure white, grey smoke," Flook said.

He said he realized how bad it was when he ran out onto his back deck. That's when he knew it was time to go. 

"I had to put my pants on and run out of here. That was a rude awakening. I didn't expect that this morning. It all escalated so quickly."

Streetcar service in the area was affected but the TTC said regular service has resumed in the area.

Fire crews, police and Ontario's Office of the Fire Marshal are expected to begin investigating the incident later on Thursday.