The proprietor of a historic adult entertainment venue in downtown Toronto expressed deep sorrow following a fire that erupted at the establishment on Sunday morning. Emergency crews were dispatched around 6 a.m. to the Zanzibar Tavern, an adult entertainment nightclub located near Yonge Street and Elm Street, as reported by Toronto Fire to CBC News. Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed the presence of heavy black smoke and a blaze at the roof level, which eventually escalated into a 3-alarm fire.
Fortunately, the building was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported. Toronto Fire noted that the roof and certain areas within the structure had been compromised due to the fire. Allen Cooper, the owner of Zanzibar, expressed his distress over the incident and his hopes of reopening the establishment on a larger scale after necessary repairs. Cooper, a second-generation owner whose parents established the club in 1960, mentioned the significant damage incurred and his aspiration to enhance the business.
Despite the setback, Cooper emphasized the support for his employees and expressed relief that no one was harmed during the fire. Fire officials assured him that the building sustained no structural damage, although further assessments were required. The adjacent business owner, Rafi Whedy, reported finding his glass door shattered when he arrived to open his store, with firefighters present. Whedy anticipated resuming operations once the door was fixed, expecting a return to normal business activities.
Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop, addressing reporters at the scene, acknowledged the substantial damage caused by the fire. The investigation into the fire’s origin was ongoing, with no indications of foul play at that time. Jessop praised the diligent efforts of the Toronto Fire Service in containing the fire, noting the challenges posed by the close proximity of neighboring structures. Despite partial roof collapse and the fire’s deep-seated nature, there were no reported injuries in connection with the incident.
