A Toronto local captured a massive fire at Zanzibar Tavern on Yonge Street over the weekend in a video. Cyrus Bakhtiyari filmed a time-lapse of a nearby condo construction when the fire broke out across the street. The video documented the fire’s rapid escalation from a small roof blaze to a large fire emitting black smoke.
Bakhtiyari expressed astonishment at how quickly the fire consumed the building, noting that his camera captured the entire event. Toronto Fire Services responded to the incident around 6 a.m. on Sunday, containing the fire primarily to the roof, with significant damage to the top floor.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with no injuries reported as the building was unoccupied at the time. The structure holds historical significance, representing Yonge Street’s past entertainment scene. Built in 1895, it originally functioned as an undertaker’s business before transforming into a restaurant and eventually a strip club in the 1980s.
Despite the damage, there is optimism from the owner about reopening the building after repairs. The vintage neon signs outside, including the iconic Club Zanzibar sign, remain visible, serving as a nostalgic reminder of the street’s history.