Seven construction workers were hospitalized following a gas explosion at a highrise development site in Toronto on Tuesday morning, according to CBC News. Emergency crews were called to the scene near Esther Shiner Boulevard and Provost Drive around 9:15 a.m., said Toronto Fire division commander Paul O’Brien. Upon arrival, firefighters did not find an active fire but discovered several injured workers showing signs of burns. The explosion occurred in the building’s boiler room on the penthouse level, though officials have not confirmed how many workers were present at the time.
Toronto police said the building was immediately evacuated after the incident. According to Toronto Paramedic Services Chief Bikram Chawla, seven workers were transported to hospital, three with minor injuries and four in life-threatening condition. Due to privacy concerns, officials have not released details about the nature of their injuries. Witnesses described the situation as chaotic, with construction workers gathering outside the site as emergency crews secured the area. O’Brien said it remains unclear when work will resume as the investigation continues.
Toronto Fire officials noted that gas explosions of this type are rare in the city. Centerville Construction Corp., the company overseeing the project, stated that it is cooperating fully with investigators and expressed concern for the injured workers. “Our heart goes out to the construction workers that have been sent to hospital,” said company representative Peter Udzenija in an email to CBC Toronto. The Ministry of Labour has launched an official investigation, and an inspector has been assigned to determine the cause of the blast. No additional details will be released until the investigation concludes.
Original article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/explosion-fire-construction-north-york-9.6937742
Original author: Arrthy Thayaparan
