Skip to content

Toronto Update #2

2 comments

THE WINDSOR STAR IS REPORTING:

Police have confirmed that a Toronto firefighter has been rushed from the scene of a series of massive explosions in a suburban neighbourhood early Sunday.

“We just got a call that he was taken from the scene, vital signs absent,” said Const. Peter Bolla. “We can’t say anything more than that.”

(Click HERE for a later update)

[photopress:toronto_d_reut.jpg,full,centered]
Reuters

The CanWest News Service is reporting that the worst of the fire is out and all tanks are cooled down.  Firefighters are still on the scene combatting many spot fires.

The propane company says that they have eight people unaccounted for, but some of them may not have been at work anyway.

One area resident is also missing.  The Fire Dept. reports that there are many houses in the area that suffered significant damage.

Despite the presence of the long-established residential area, the propane facility was allowed to build in the center of it just four years ago.  Neighbors have been complaining about it during the entire time.

(See original posting HERE with video and first update HERE with aerial view of neighborhood.)

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