Cheryl Camack Reports: Explosion leaves hundreds homeless

Hundreds are homeless after a fire in a high-rise on 2 Secord Ave., near Main St. and Danforth Ave. A transformer explosion has left the building "uninhabitable".

At around 10:30 a.m on Sunday morning, a blast in the basement of the building released toxic chemicals and put 9 firefighters and one civilian in hospital. They suffered from non life-threatening injuries from burns to smoke inhalation.

“It was a huge explosion and then tonnes of really dark black smoke,” says Tony, a resident in the area.

The explosion was so intense it buckled the parking lot pavement, and lifted a fire-truck from the ground. Severe structural damage to the building is feared, but officials will not be allowed to investigate until the carbon monoxide dangers have been lifted.

“We’ll house them as long as we need to house them,” says City Councillor Janet Davis.

Residents who were unable to secure housing with family or friends have been given shelter at neighbouring Secord Public School. Red Cross and The Salvation Army are on scene to provide whatever assistance is needed.