Looting...it's what binds Canadians!

City to review zoning bylaws: T.O. mayor Police busy with irate residents, looters, 1 missing man Canwest News ServicePublished: Monday, August 11, 2008

TORONTO - Mayor David Miller of Toronto said Monday the city is reviewing zoning bylaws to see what it can do ensure residential neighbourhoods are safe from propane facilities, like the one that exploded early Sunday morning in North York and forced an estimated 12,000 residents from their homes.

At a press conference Monday afternoon, Miller said the zoning bylaw that covers that part of the city, which predates amalgamation, does allow a facility of this type. But he said it's the provincial Technical Standards and Safety Authority that is in charge of approval and regulation.

"Just to be clear, the city does not license any propane facilities," he said. He has asked staff to look at ways in which the city can restrict where they go in the future.

Two woman wait to be picked up from a temporary emergency shelter at York University after they were forced from their home in the early hours of Sunday morning. Chris Young/National Post

"We know propane facilities within 1.6 kilometres is the danger zone. That's why people were asked to evacuate their houses within 1.6-kilometres. I think it's a reasonable thing to work from that kind of distancing."

Most people in the affected area, near Keele Street and Wilson Avenue, have been allowed to return home, but more than 100 residences remain off limits. There are health concerns about asbestos that was disturbed in the powerful blast.

Officials said 46 people stayed at the evacuation centre at York University, and more than 180 registered.

Earlier Monday, Toronto police said they are on guard for potential looting of shops and homes in the evacuation zone.

There have been a "small number of reports" of looting in the area, said Mark Pugash, a police spokesman. The area has been flooded with uniformed and undercover officers to "send a clear message that we are there and what our expectations are," he said.

One firefighter died at the scene.  And one man remains missing - he has been identified as Parminder Sarminion, an employee at Sunrise Propane.

Monday morning, a group of about 20 frustrated residents congregated within sight of smouldering propane yard, looking for answers. They complained nobody had told them why they were being kept away from their homes or when they might be able to return.

"That's my house on the other side of that truck," said Kathy Todish. "I can see it, I can almost touch it, but I can't tell how bad the damage is. The walls are still standing but what does that mean? What about the foundation?"

Todish fled their house after the first blast, and could see the red flames from the second, larger explosion rising above them as they ran to safety.

Pugash said the Ministry of the Environment is looking into whether there is an asbestos danger along the streets that remain cordoned off. "We won't allow anyone in the area until we know it's safe."

Officials from the Ontario fire marshal's office were expected to begin sifting through the remains from the blast to try to determine what set it off.

The blast was so powerful that it blew out windows and literally shook hundreds of residents from their beds. It took firefighters 16 hours to get the blaze under control.

Toronto District Fire Chief Bob Leek, a 25-year veteran of the service, collapsed and died near the scene. It was not immediately clear whether the death was related to the explosions or from a medical condition.

Meanwhile, all lanes and ramps of the nearby Highway 401, Canada's busiest highway, re-opened Monday for the morning rush hour. Transit buses were also expected to run on a normal schedule and route in the area, officials said.