Explosion Rocks Toronto's East End

uploaded by Mike Wood July 20, 2008 at 01:20 pm
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Explosion Rocks Toronto's East End by Mike Wood

More than a hundred Firefighters, 45 trucks and 2 Hazmat units were at the scene of a five-alarm blaze at an apartment building on Secord Avenue, just NW of Dawes Road and Danforth Avenue today.

The fire broke out just before 11:00AM with a hydro vault on the first floor of the 21-storey building exploding shortly after Firefighters arrived, sending six to hospital - three with second degree burns.

A resident evacuating the building was also taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

Residents from the 300 unit building along with a nearby townhouse complex were evacuated to the nearby Secord Elementary School as a precaution due to the toxic smoke.

According to Toronto Fire Chief Bill Stewart the fireball from the explosion blew the hydro vault room doors off, moved nearby parked cars, and a fire truck on scene at the time was lifted off the ground.

Officials say the explosion may have caused significant damage to the building.

"If they (residents) return tonight is dependent on the situation. They have no hydro and no water," Stewart said.

A structural engineer was expected to arrive to assess the damage before allowing residents to return to the building.

The cause of the fire was still undetermined.

Photo Properties
NP! ID: 1333929
Title: Explosion Rocks Toronto's East End
File Size: 600 × 400 – 96.37 KB

Created: Sun, 07/20/2008 - 1:20pm
Modified: Sun, 07/20/2008 - 1:20pm

File Type: image (jpeg)

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