A fire truck valued at one million dollars was destroyed in a large fire that broke out early Sunday morning at a townhouse project under construction in Vaughan.

Grant Moffat, Vice President of Vaughan Fire, told reporters at the scene that crews prepared an aerial vehicle to fight the fire, but it caught fire and the firefighters operating that truck were unable to return it in time as the antenna was activated.

He added, "Unfortunately, it is a total loss."

The fire, which was declared a triple alarm shortly after firefighters arrived at the scene, broke out after 4 a.m. in the Rutherford Road and Highway 27 area.

Moffat said the wind posed a problem for the crews as it caused the fire to spread quickly to many nearby unoccupied homes. Fires broke out in nearly 35 unoccupied homes at various stages of construction.

Vaughan Fire said, "There are also reports of explosions, possibly caused by propane gas cylinders on site."

In total, 13 or 14 fire trucks were deployed along with just under 60 firefighters from day and night shifts to fight this fire.

Moffat continued that as of 10 a.m., most of the fires have been extinguished, but the original unit where the fire started is still considered an active fire along with five or six other homes in the same complex.

No injuries have been reported.

A small number of occupied homes next to the construction site were evacuated as a precaution. York Region Transit buses are at the scene to shelter the displaced, who are expected to be allowed to return to their homes sometime this morning.

Rutherford Road remains closed at this time.

The Fire Marshal's office will now work alongside fire investigators with York Regional Police to determine the origin, circumstances, and cause of this fire.