A vehicle burst into flames on the Gardiner Expressway in downtown Toronto on Friday morning, blocking eastbound traffic and causing significant delays.
Incident Details
The fire was reported around 10:25 a.m. on June 19, 2026. A vehicle was seen engulfed in flames on the busy highway, with smoke billowing into the sky. Fire crews quickly arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze.
Video footage submitted by witness Matt Stepura shows the vehicle fully ablaze, with flames spreading across the roadway. No injuries have been reported, but the eastbound lanes were closed for an extended period as crews worked to clear the wreckage and investigate the cause.
Traffic Impact
The closure caused major backups on the Gardiner Expressway and surrounding streets. Commuters were advised to seek alternative routes, such as Lake Shore Boulevard or the Don Valley Parkway. Toronto Police urged drivers to avoid the area until further notice.
As of early afternoon, the eastbound lanes remained closed, but officials expected them to reopen later in the day. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
