Where Will The Evacuees Go?
Posted February 20, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The six alarm fire that ravaged Queen West is nearly over. Demolition crews have been called in, and the fire department has scaled back its efforts. But what happened to all those people who were forced to leave their homes and businesses early Wednesday morning?
Residents were first put on to TTC buses. Later, the city opened a reception centre at Trinity Bellwoods Community Centre. “It’s a place where anyone who’s affected by the fire can go and stay warm,” reassures Elaine Smyer, Manager of Emergency Planning for Toronto. “We have lots of cell phones on site, we can look up phone numbers and families have come by to pick up family members from the reception centre.”
One resident was forced to leave with less than the clothes on her back. Pamela Badour says she lost everything. “I lost my clothes, my valuables, my pictures, everything. This is all I got.”
As she points to her warm winter gear, she mentions that’s it more than she had when she fled her apartment. “I went to a place this morning and I got a jacket, a turtleneck, a couple sweaters…” Her voice trails off. It’s cold outside and the devastation is overwhelming. She’s grateful she got out at all. “If it wasn’t for my friend, you know, I probably would have been in hospital right now with smoke inhalation or something like that.”
Smyer wants to comfort residents like Badour. “We have staff available to help people with next steps, what are they going to do from here, whether it’s getting in touch with family or friends or finding an alternate place to live. We’ve got food … we’ll be there as long as people need us.”
And it’s not just two-legged residents who are affected by the fire. “The pets feel it too. You know, the animal-human bond is so strong and if people have to leave their pets they won’t leave,” says Smyer. The staff at the Community Centre can help people get in touch with veterinarians and their own doctors.
The fire destroyed buildings just east of Bathurst. But even those with homes to go back to, can’t return just yet. Enbridge Gas has shut off supplies to the area, and hydro is down. There’s no heat, there’s no light, and it’s going to be cold: The city has called an Extreme Cold Weather Alert for Wednesday night.
Local businesses have volunteered to help out, including the Fairmont Royal York. “I think in times like this, it’s time we all pulled together, and we have offered a number of rooms for those who are displaced, free of charge, just for a couple of nights so that they can get back on their feet again,” explains Melanie Coates. The Royal York has offered up ten rooms.
Clafouti, a Queen Street restaurant, has donated food to the centre. The Salvation Army is also on scene to help out with food and clothing. Smyer promises that the city will help even more after the streets are clear. “We can also help with referrals after people start to come down from the shock and the realization hits, I have no home to go to, I have no clothes. We can certainly help people rebuild their lives.”
To get in touch with a loved one who may be at the centre, call 14 Division at 416-808-1400.
To get a room at the Fairmont Royal York, call 416-368-2511.
