Seven individuals were hospitalized following a blast at a high-rise construction site in Toronto on Tuesday morning, as per the police. Firefighters were alerted to a gas explosion at a building under construction near Esther Shiner Boulevard and Provost Drive around 9:15 a.m., according to Toronto Fire division commander Paul O’Brien during a press briefing. Upon arrival, no fire was found, but several individuals displayed burn injuries, O’Brien disclosed. The incident occurred in the boiler room on the penthouse floor of the building, with uncertainty about the number of workers present at the time.
Workers were promptly evacuated from the building by Toronto police. Paramedics transported seven workers to the hospital, with three sustaining minor injuries and four classified as having life-threatening injuries, according to Toronto Paramedic Services Chief Bikram Chawla. Due to privacy considerations, Chawla refrained from elaborating on the nature of the injuries sustained by the individuals.
Subsequent to the event, construction workers congregated outside the building, awaiting updates on when they could re-enter, pending an ongoing investigation, O’Brien indicated. Luke Pravica, a construction worker on-site, mentioned being aware of a potential gas leak and explosion that resulted in burns to a few individuals, expressing his concern and wishing his colleagues a swift recovery.
O’Brien noted that gas explosions of this nature are unusual in Toronto without delving into the specifics of the gas type responsible for the blast. Centerville Construction Corp. issued a statement affirming an ongoing investigation into the incident, with a pledge to share additional details when accessible. Peter Udzenija from Centerville conveyed condolences to the affected construction workers who were hospitalized in an email to CBC Toronto.
An investigation is in progress, with the Ministry of Labour duly informed of the occurrence, O’Brien highlighted. A ministry spokesperson mentioned that an inspector had been designated to probe the explosion but refrained from providing further details while the investigation remains active.