Hydro crews assess scene of underground blast in financial district

By News Staff

Fire crews have cleared and Toronto Hydro has taken over the scene of a hydro vault explosion that shut down King Street on Monday.

Toronto Hydro faced some criticism regarding their response time to the incident, but spokesperson Tori Gass said their response was prompt and efficient.

An overhead crew was the first to arrive at the scene as soon as they became available. Though the explosion was underground, the overhead crews were able to begin a process called “switching” – isolating power sources to the vault and turning them off. Crews cannot enter the two vaults affected till all power to them has been completely cut and the smoke has cleared.

A specialized underground crew was also called to the scene. They were able to gain access to one of the vaults around 11 p.m. to assess the damage and determine a possible cause. The second vault was inaccessible due to heavy smoke. Gass added that the scene inside the vaults is likely “messy” and “toxic”.

She said underground hydro vaults are reportedly inspected every three years but information regarding the specific vaults in Monday’s incident is not currently available. Gass also said the downtown core has several “aging assets” but it’s not clear how old these vaults are.

Earlier in the day police closed off several streets in the financial district around the area where the explosion occurred.

Video from the scene showed thick smoke billowing out from a street grate near Scotiabank Plaza and the RBC tower on King Street West.

Disclaimer: The video below contains foul language.

The smoke changed colour from grey, to brown and later to black suggesting there were different, unidentified entities burning. Multiple explosions were reportedly heard following the first and yellow and purple flames were seen emanating from the grate.

Toronto Fire said sparks could be seen from multiple grates in the sidewalk and carbon dioxide tanks were used to control the blaze.

Power went out at the RBC tower at 20 King West and the building was evacuated.

King Street West is closed from Yonge Street to Bay Street and Front and Adelaide Streets are closed at Yonge Street. Subway service is also bypassing King Station in both directions on Line 1. Toronto Fire chief Matthew Pegg said all closures were precautionary.

No injuries have been reported.

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