Fire Marshal's office investigating Yorkville fire

Heavy equipment has been brought in to assist fire investigators as they work to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed two Yorkville restaurants on Thursday evening.

According to Peter Hamilton, an investigator with the Ontario Fire Marshals office, crews are conducting a systemic delayering of 116 Avenue Rd., the building that housed Sotto Sotto and Spuntinis Ristorante, in order to make it safe for investigation.

Due to the construction techniques used at that period of time, the entire building has slid down inside, Hamilton said during a press conference outside the remains of the restaurants on Saturday afternoon.

Hamilton added that it will be several days before investigators complete their on-site assessment.

While the fire was initially considered suspicious because it broke out while both restaurants were closed and engulfed the entire Avenue Rd. building, Toronto Fire Services platoon chief Colin Reid told reporters Saturday afternoon that there is not enough information to confirm that yet.

We have not ruled anything out and all things are still on the table, Hamilton said, adding that the Fire Marshals office was working with heritage preservation services as the building was a designated heritage property.

Sotto Sotto enjoyed a reputation as a celebrity hangout, with stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Mary J. Blige, Bill Murray, Elton John and Ewan McGregor all choosing to dine at the Yorkville restaurant.

The blaze caused about $1 million in damages, and firefighters were still putting out hot spots into Friday.

With files from Sadiya Ansari and Nick Westoll

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Fire Marshal's office investigating Yorkville fire