City shuts down public events at Hearn Generating Station over fire code breaches
Posted August 10, 2017 3:32 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s become a popular event space in Toronto but the fire department has issued a warning about the Hearn Generating Station.
The now defunct industrial building in the Portlands has hosted concerts, Nuit Blanche, Luminato and other events over the past couple of years but Toronto Fire Services has taken issue with the Waterfront Night Market, which is scheduled to start on Friday.
Deputy fire chief Jim Jessop said there are serious deficiencies and breaches of the Ontario Fire Code at the plant on Unwin Street, so until further notice no public events can legally be held there.
“Our primary focus is to protect the safety of the public,” Jessop said in a statement on Thursday.
“Hosting public events in a space that is not equipped with fire alarm systems, proper lighting, fire exits and other serious deficiencies is not acceptable.”
According to Jessop, the company leasing the building from Ontario Power Generation did not contact Toronto Fire to get a temporary occupancy permit. He said city officials are working with the company to address public safety.
Filming is still permitted at the generating station by the applicable zoning bylaw, but the City expects that all filming activities on the site will be conducted in a safe manner.
