Updates: For later news updates and information on the firefighter fatality, see our reports HERE and HERE.
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Ch. 24 photo by Joseph Rowland
CANADIAN PRESS HAS JUST REPORTED:
Firefighters are close to extinguishing all the burning tanks at a propane facility in northwest Toronto, significantly reducing the risk of another explosion.
Division Commander Bob O’Hallarn tells a news conference the early morning explosion at Sunrise Propane Industrial Gases at Keele and Wilson burned a huge area of the city with intense heat.
He said given the impact of the blast, the city’s residents “got off very lucky.”
O’Hallarn said he is aware of only minor injuries among nearby residents, although one person is unaccounted for.
The Fire Marshal is scheduled to hold a press conference at noon.
From National Post:
Toronto EMS duty officer David Viljak said emergency officials have received reports of “casualties” but can’t confirm them since the victims are “inside the hot zone” and behind the barricade.
“Actually . . . it was very large (the explosion), we are two miles away here, and we could feel it,” said the EMS officer.
This aerial view of the neighborhood has the fire area outlined. Notice that the large industrial gas firm was permitted to build its terminal right in the middle of an established residential neighborhood.
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National Post
TV Ch. 24 is reporting:
The TTC says it has buses patrolling the perimeter of the blocked-off area in order to pick up residents who don’t have a vehicle. Evacuees are urged to take medications and family pets when they leave their homes.
Air quality readings have so far indicated that the air in the area is not toxic.
Some minor injuries have been reported, but the nearby North York General Hospital says it has seen fewer than a dozen patients so far. Most of the patients were walk-ins experiencing breathing troubles, cuts and bruises and all have since been discharged.
Firefighters had been allowing two transport truck fuel tankers to continue burning off in order to avoid further explosions. One has been extinguished and another continues to burn, but should be out soon.
Channel 24 also has a good 12-minute video of the incident HERE.
Scroll down or click HERE for the first report and a video.








