A few hours ago I was woken up by the kids screaming when a huge explosion shook our house. Every feared we were being bombed. In reality, a Propane Reserve exploded about 8 miles from my home. We drove up as far as we could to see if we could get a look and although I did manage to take one picture from the 401, the police evacuated us.

This person was there and managed to upload some pictures..it was/is horrible!

www.photojunkie.ca/arc...-the-city/

Waiting to hear how far the evacuations will go. Will keep you all posted.

This is the explosion..from a distance. We were much closer...I suspect this is taken from downtown

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV5udSWJcZo

Nuccia, keep us updated. I certainly hope there were no injuries or deaths.

lilbees

That must have been one loud boom.

I cant believe you got in the car in the middle of the night to go look..lol

I hope no one was hurt.

If I was there I would have jumped in my car as well. I am just as curious as anyone. My ex was a fireman. Believe me, when there was a fire, even though the department frowned on anyone going near, I just couldn't resist.

lilbees

Well so far, no major injuries have been reported although I believe they said there is only one person that is not accounted for..but he may not even have been there.

For the first time ever, they closest Canada's busiest highways in both directions for a fair stretch. They are/have officially evacuated the immediate area and so far, no other chemicals were suspected like they originally thought. I'm supposed to go and say goodbye to my Dad who leaves for Italy on Tuesday but there is no way I am going out today. Traffic is backed up on all the major routes where traffic has been diverted.

They are also trying to keep from additional explosions happening..the fire is still burning and firemen are working to keep it under control.

lilbees wrote:

If I was there I would have jumped in my car as well. I am just as curious as anyone. My ex was a fireman. Believe me, when there was a fire, even though the department frowned on anyone going near, I just couldn't resist. lilbees

It looks like we have had one firefighter with vital signs absent that was taken to hospital about half an hour ago where they are working on him now. They have resumed full Toronto Transit Services but have evacuated the Yorkdale Mall just a few minutes ago..No one is quite sure why.

Firefighter has just been confirmed dead...he has been with the force for 25 years but won't release any personal info until the family is notified. He was found outside by another firefighter. Not traumatic injury involved but it happened in the line of duty..

Thats all they are saying right now.

Right after I read your post this morning, I went into the livingroom where my husband had the news on and they were reporting on this.

Do they know what caused it?

wow...... ill protect you Nuccia

stevenspringer wrote:

wow...... ill protect you Nuccia

Awhhh..thanks Steve. That's so sweet.

When I went to bed last night they still didn't know what caused it. I haven't checked to see the updates yet this morning.

The firefighter that died was 55 year old, Captain Bob Leeks. People were told last night they could go home and yet the police were not allowing them to, saying it still wasn't safe. I gave up and went to bed at 11:30.

So sad that someone has died as a result of this explosion.

An explosion like that is similar to a bomb going off.
A similar incident ,on a smaller scale,happened here about 2years ago but fortunately the cylinder didnt explode the firemen had to pump water on the cylinder for 24 hours and during that time their lives were at risk and people living in houses within a certain radius were evacuated and all traffic and trains were stopped too. It was a fireman who explained the cylinder was a potential bomb and and if it did explode it would have caused serious damage covering a wide area.

Emmy

Holy, cow! Nuccia! I looked at the youtube video and it looked a bomb. I am glad you are ok but sad that someone lost their life.