The proprietor of a longstanding adult entertainment venue in downtown Toronto expressed deep sorrow following a fire incident at the establishment on Sunday morning. Emergency crews arrived at the Zanzibar Tavern, a nightclub specializing in adult entertainment, near Yonge Street and Elm Street after receiving reports of smoke around 6 a.m., as confirmed by Toronto Fire to CBC News. Upon arrival, firefighters identified dense black smoke and a fire at the roof level that eventually escalated to a 3-alarm situation.
Fortunately, the building was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported. Toronto Fire indicated that the roof and certain interior areas sustained damage. Allen Cooper, the owner of Zanzibar, shared his distress over the unfortunate event, mentioning his intentions to reopen the establishment on a larger scale post-repairs. Cooper, a second-generation owner whose parents established the club in 1960, stated that the incident resulted in significant harm to the business.
Despite the setback, Cooper expressed optimism about restoring the business to its former glory. He acknowledged the support of approximately 30 regular employees and a weekly influx of 100 to 200 dancers. Firefighters assured Cooper that the building’s structure remained intact, although a comprehensive assessment was pending. Cooper emphasized the relief that no individuals were present during the fire outbreak, emphasizing the importance of safety.
Speaking to the media later in the day, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop described the substantial damage caused by the fire. While investigations into the fire’s origin are ongoing, no suspicions of foul play have been raised. Jessop commended the efforts of the Toronto Fire Service in containing the fire and preventing its spread to neighboring buildings. The fire led to partial roof collapse, with no reported injuries.
Rafi Whedy, the owner of a neighboring business, recounted arriving to find his store’s glass door shattered and firefighters on the scene. Despite the disruption, Whedy anticipated a prompt reopening once the door was fixed, expressing confidence in the return to normal operations.