Toronto traffic came to a standstill Friday morning following a serious multi-vehicle collision and vehicle fire on the Gardiner Expressway near the Rees Street off-ramp, close to the downtown core.
The incident was first reported at approximately 9:33 a.m., when emergency services were called to the eastbound lanes of the Gardiner Expressway near Bay Street, in the vicinity of Scotiabank Arena. Early reports indicated a multi-vehicle collision, with at least one vehicle becoming fully engulfed in flames shortly after the crash.
Images and eyewitness reports from the scene showed heavy black smoke rising from the burning vehicle as firefighters and emergency crews rushed to contain the blaze. Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of vehicles involved or the extent of any injuries, which remain unknown at this time.
Emergency responders quickly arrived on scene and began working to extinguish the fire while also assessing the situation for potential casualties. Police and fire crews established a perimeter and temporarily shut down affected sections of the highway to allow safe access for emergency operations.
The closure has caused significant disruption for commuters across downtown Toronto. According to traffic reports, all eastbound lanes of the Gardiner Expressway are blocked approaching Jarvis Street, creating severe congestion stretching several kilometres. Westbound traffic has also been impacted, with at least the left lane affected near the incident zone.
CP24 traffic specialist Meital Sperling described the situation as causing “pretty big problems” for motorists in the area, urging drivers to avoid the corridor where possible. She advised commuters heading into or through downtown Toronto to consider alternative routes such as Lake Shore Boulevard or King Street to bypass the closure.
At the time of reporting, the Gardiner Expressway remained closed at the Rees Street off-ramp, with vehicles being forced to exit the highway earlier than planned. Traffic delays continued to build as congestion spread through surrounding arterial roads.
Authorities have not yet released details on what caused the initial collision or whether any individuals were injured in the fire. Investigations are ongoing, and further updates are expected as emergency crews continue to assess the scene and clear the roadway.
Motorists are being urged to exercise caution and expect continued delays in the downtown core until the highway is fully reopened.