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Toronto Propane Explosion Update

12 comments

Updates:  For later news updates and information on the firefighter fatality, see our reports HERE and HERE. 

 [photopress:toronto_c_joseph_rowland.jpg,full,centered]
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.

[photopress:toronto_b_airview_natlpost.jpg,full,centered]
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.

Posted by on August 10, 2008 • Filed under: explosion
  • Jonny

    Bill,

    The Associated Press is reporting one Firefighter has been killed as a result. Here is the wire copy…

    AP-Canada-Toronto-Explosion

    Propane explosions in Toronto force evacuation

    TORONTO (AP) — In Toronto, Canada, one firefighter is reported
    dead after explosions at a propane facility forced thousands of
    people to evacuate early today.
    Witnesses described the sky lighting up in the glow of an
    enormous fireball before turning black with billowing smoke.
    Toronto police say a worker at the Sunrise Propane Industrial
    Gasses facility is unaccounted for. Some residents suffered minor
    injuries.
    The explosions also shut down Canada’s busiest highway and part
    of the city’s subway system, snarling traffic for thousands of
    travelers. Mayor David Miller says the fire is under control, but
    the chance of another explosion still exists because it’s a propane
    facility.

    %@AP Links

    Sound:

    CUT ..127 (08/10/08)

    00:08 “in time”
    Robert Helman
    Robert Helman lives across the street from the facility and says
    it was a terrifying experience.

    CUT ..129 (08/10/08)

    00:13 “in smoke”
    Josie Miceli (mi-SEL’-ee)
    Local resident Josie Miceli (mi-SEL’-ee) says she and her
    husband grabbed their dog and fled outside after the first
    explosion woke them.

    CUT ..130 (08/10/08)

    00:08 “on them”
    Bob O’Hallaran
    Fire official Bob O’Hallaran says firefighters are concerned
    about flames igniting more propane.

    CUT ..131 (08/10/08)

    00:05 “the smoke”
    Bob O’Hallaran
    Fire official Bob O’Hallaran says the smoke from the blast isn’t
    toxic.

    APPHOTO CPTM109 (08/10/08)

    : Salvation Army volunteers hand out drinks and food to
    evacuated residents forced to flee their homes after a series of
    explosions at a propane facility overnight in northwest Toronto,
    Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. Hundreds of residents have been evacuated
    from the surrounding area following early morning explosions and
    ongoing fire.

    (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
    APTV 08-10-08 1717EDT

  • Jonny

    Bill,

    The Associated Press is reporting one Firefighter has been killed as a result. Here is the wire copy…

    AP-Canada-Toronto-Explosion

    Propane explosions in Toronto force evacuation

    TORONTO (AP) — In Toronto, Canada, one firefighter is reported
    dead after explosions at a propane facility forced thousands of
    people to evacuate early today.
    Witnesses described the sky lighting up in the glow of an
    enormous fireball before turning black with billowing smoke.
    Toronto police say a worker at the Sunrise Propane Industrial
    Gasses facility is unaccounted for. Some residents suffered minor
    injuries.
    The explosions also shut down Canada’s busiest highway and part
    of the city’s subway system, snarling traffic for thousands of
    travelers. Mayor David Miller says the fire is under control, but
    the chance of another explosion still exists because it’s a propane
    facility.

    %@AP Links

    Sound:

    CUT ..127 (08/10/08)

    00:08 “in time”
    Robert Helman
    Robert Helman lives across the street from the facility and says
    it was a terrifying experience.

    CUT ..129 (08/10/08)

    00:13 “in smoke”
    Josie Miceli (mi-SEL’-ee)
    Local resident Josie Miceli (mi-SEL’-ee) says she and her
    husband grabbed their dog and fled outside after the first
    explosion woke them.

    CUT ..130 (08/10/08)

    00:08 “on them”
    Bob O’Hallaran
    Fire official Bob O’Hallaran says firefighters are concerned
    about flames igniting more propane.

    CUT ..131 (08/10/08)

    00:05 “the smoke”
    Bob O’Hallaran
    Fire official Bob O’Hallaran says the smoke from the blast isn’t
    toxic.

    APPHOTO CPTM109 (08/10/08)

    : Salvation Army volunteers hand out drinks and food to
    evacuated residents forced to flee their homes after a series of
    explosions at a propane facility overnight in northwest Toronto,
    Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. Hundreds of residents have been evacuated
    from the surrounding area following early morning explosions and
    ongoing fire.

    (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
    APTV 08-10-08 1717EDT

  • Al

    What disgusted me was that city councillor Shelley Carroll, “acting Deputy Mayor” on tv blamed this on the homeowners who bought homes “that encroached on an industrial area”.

    While the industrial area was there first with WWII industries and later with places like the Tesky Construction cement loading location, those homes have been there for probably 5 decades while Sunrise Propane maybe one decade.

    Why does the city permit dangerous stuff like this to be ADDED to a location right across the street from a residential area?

    And for Councillor Carroll to blame the residents is nothing short of absolutely disgusting.

    It’s no wonder so many people have lost any respect for politicians.

  • Al

    What disgusted me was that city councillor Shelley Carroll, “acting Deputy Mayor” on tv blamed this on the homeowners who bought homes “that encroached on an industrial area”.

    While the industrial area was there first with WWII industries and later with places like the Tesky Construction cement loading location, those homes have been there for probably 5 decades while Sunrise Propane maybe one decade.

    Why does the city permit dangerous stuff like this to be ADDED to a location right across the street from a residential area?

    And for Councillor Carroll to blame the residents is nothing short of absolutely disgusting.

    It’s no wonder so many people have lost any respect for politicians.

  • Anthony Miller

    The Flames Went Up Soo High it wasent Funny

  • Anthony Miller

    The Flames Went Up Soo High it wasent Funny

  • John H Lindop

    In answer to carrol’s comments, 54 years ago I was stationed at RCAF Base Downsview, and contrary to her insulting remarks there WERE many residential homes even then in the Dufferin/Wilson area. Both single family homes and low rise, small apartment buildings were already there and being constructed.

  • John H Lindop

    In answer to carrol’s comments, 54 years ago I was stationed at RCAF Base Downsview, and contrary to her insulting remarks there WERE many residential homes even then in the Dufferin/Wilson area. Both single family homes and low rise, small apartment buildings were already there and being constructed.

  • Helen

    Does anyone know what exactly caused the explosion??? Truthfully???

    Helen, It will take days, if not weeks, for the investigators to fully determine the cause. We’ll keep watching. – Firegeezer.

  • Helen

    Does anyone know what exactly caused the explosion??? Truthfully???

    Helen, It will take days, if not weeks, for the investigators to fully determine the cause. We’ll keep watching. – Firegeezer.

  • Kaylan

    Please email me when you find out what caused this disaster.

  • Kaylan

    Please email me when you find out what caused this disaster.