An apartment dweller at Eglinton Ave. and Leslie St. spotted it first: a tower of smoke rising above Sunnybrook Park early Monday morning.Toronto police said they were called to the scene around 3 a.m. to respond to a “working fire” at Sunnybrook Stables. When the first of approximately 50 firefighters arrived, the flames were “visible and through the roof,” Toronto Fire acting platoon Chief Glenn Sherwood said. He called the response a “defensive operation.” The main barn was completely engulfed, with a second beginning to catch fire. All 16 horses in the main barn died. Thirteen horses were saved and transported to the Toronto police mounted unit’s stables at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds.By midday, firefighters had the blaze under control. The red rooftop and wooden walls of the historic barn had been entirely destroyed, leaving behind the charred and structurally unsound foundations of the popular riding school.Fire crews continued to douse hot spots in the smouldering ruins throughout the day, as police kept a large portion of the park closed to search for horses that were thought to have fled during the fire. Toronto Fire said they have heard “rumours” that fireworks were being let off by members of the public in the park that night. Investigators say it’s one possible avenue of explanation that their investigation will look into. They said they don’t have any facts that point to fireworks as the cause of the blaze at this time.Members of the city’s equestrian community, and others passing through the park on the Victoria Day holiday, stopped to mourn the loss of the animals and the services they provided. Sunnybrook Stables has been a public horse-riding facility in the park since 1978. In 1982, a 12,000-square-foot indoor arena was built to allow for year-round equestrian programs. The horses took part in day camps for children, adult riding lessons and equestrian competit ...
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