It Could Be Weeks Before Residents Can Return Home

Hundreds of displaced residents learned Monday morning that it could be weeks before they are allowed to return home after a devastating fire and explosion caused significant structural damage to an apartment complex in the city’s east end.

Most had to flee with just the shirts on their backs after Sunday’s blaze  — a five-alarmer at 2 Secord Ave., in the Dawes Road and Danforth area, which authorities still don’t know the cause of.

Some spent the night with family and friends while others tried to get some sleep at a nearby public school.

“We have just had a meeting with the tenants. As you’ve heard, we’ve shared with the tenants now that it’s unlikely that they will be able to return to this building for several weeks,” revealed Councillor Janet Davis.

“The City of Toronto has put in place a number of supports for the residents…we have social services, public health, shelter support and housing,” she added.  “We have, as well, on site representatives from the Insurance Bureau of Canada to sort out and provide advice on insurance coverage. As well, there will be representatives from legal clinics to provide any advice to residents about their rights.”

Residents thought they would be briefly allowed into their apartments to gather personal belongings on Monday, but authorities have since revealed that toxic fumes are still present, and tenants may not be allowed in for several days. 

Many have no cash on them, and others have vital medications inside their apartments, adding to the collective frustration.

Those frustrations began when a hydro vault exploded late Sunday morning, shaking the area and sparking the blaze that caused serious structural damage to the 21-storey building. The blast was apparently so powerful it lifted cement in the area. 

“I’ve seen two of these in my career in 19 years. It’s amazing that nobody was seriously hurt,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Bill Hiscott.

Nine firefighters were injured trying to douse the flames – six suffered smoke inhalation and three sustained second-degree burns. One civilian also received minor injuries. More than 100 firefighters were called to the scene in the five-alarm response.

Thick black smoke travelled through the elevator and ventilation shafts of the building, damaging a number of apartments.

“It’s certainly gone right through the length of the building,” Hiscott adds.  “We’ve got damage from one end to the other.”

Hundreds of residents rushed out onto the street as crews battled the blaze, which they managed to control by about 2pm.

“It was the loudest explosion I’d heard,” adds resident Romelda Morson.  “You can’t describe the sound actually. It was so loud, you can’t describe it.”

About 200 people spent the night at Secord Public School, just down the road, where the Red Cross and the Salvation Army set up shop offering cots, blankets, a change of clothes and basic toiletries.

“We’re continuing to work with individuals. If they can stay with friends and family that’s obviously the best option,” John Saunders, director of disaster management for the Red Cross, explained. ” The department of housing and shelter, City of Toronto, is responsible for coordinating other opportunities and options for housing. We haven’t received word how long it’s going to be, but we’ll stay at the school as long as people have the need.”

Despite the help, residents remained on edge, with many too rattled to sleep.

“I’m trying to stay positive, they have cots inside the school, but i just can’t lay down because my mind is just on what’s happened here,” said displaced resident Ed Wright. 

• Many animals were also displaced during the evacuation. The Humane Society currently has 16 cats and dogs that haven’t been identified.  If you’re looking for your pet, you can go to the Humane Society at 11 River Street.

• For more information on emergency shelter, visit the City of Toronto’s website, here.

David Sheen of Toronto Fire Services outlined the staged response to blazes. These numbers are only meant to be a guide and fire officials noted that different blazes require different responses, so the number of crew and equipment that are called out for these staged responses can vary.

One-Alarm

2 pumpers, 1 aerial truck, and 1 district chief

If it’s downtown or involves a highrise building, a highrise truck is used. If it’s a working fire an air supply truck, which provides breathing cylinders, and a heavy rescue squad are called.

Two-Alarm

5 pumpers, 2 aerials, 1 squad, 1 hazardous materials truck, 2 district chiefs, 1 platoon chief, 1 air supply vehicle, and 1 incident command vehicle.

Three-Alarm

8 pumpers, 3 aerials, 1 squad, 3 district chiefs, 1 platoon, 1 air lights, 1 hazard, 1 command vehicle, 1 division commander,

Four-Alarm

11 pumpers, 4 aerials, 1 squad, 4 district chiefs, 1 platoon, 1 air supply vehicle, 1 hazardous materials truck, 1 command vehicle, 1 division commander

Five-Alarm

14 pumpers, 5 aerials, 2 squads, 5 district chiefs, 1 platoon, 1 division commander, 1 command vehicles, 2 air supply trucks, 1 hazardous materials vehicles

Other support staff.

Six-Alarm

17 pumpers, 6 aerials, 2 squads, 6 district chiefs, 1 platoon, 1 division commander, 1command vehicle, 2 air supply truck, 1 hazardous materials truck.

Seven-Alarm

20 pumpers, 7 aerials, 2 squads, 7 district chiefs, 1 platoon, 1 division commander, 1 command vehicle, 2 air supply trucks, 1 hazardous materials.