Terrifying videos show the aftermath of Toronto house explosion
One person is believed to have been killed, and a Toronto firefighter sustained minor injuries after an explosion rocked a house in a residential neighbourhood in Scarborough
The blast ripped through a residence on Kitchener Road in the Kingston and Galloway neighbourhood at approximately 11:40 a.m. on Sunday.
Frantic Pre arrival footage at 114 Kitchener Rd in Scarborough just before the noon hour this morning.
— Durham Region Responses (@DurhamResponses) November 12, 2023
P234 advanced the 65” on arrival for the fully involved remains of a home. @TPFFA https://t.co/QF5TFlR0Vg pic.twitter.com/iIOsIu9Wg2
Photos and videos captured in the aftermath of the explosion show the house in question completely totalled, its remains ablaze as a crowd of onlookers gathered.
— Justice_Queen 🍉⚖️ (@RE_MarketWatch) November 12, 2023
The blast shook adjacent homes and was heard by many across a wide swath of Scarborough.
We heard the explosion from Lawrence and Morningside.
— Bill (@BillW003) November 13, 2023
Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg told media that fire crews responding to the scene "reported a high level of damage consistent with what we generally see as a result of an explosion."
Pegg told reporters at the scene of the blast that firefighters "have reports that there was one occupant in the structure at the time of the incident" and have not yet been able to locate that person.
Shortly after 11:30 this morning, @Toronto_Fire responded to a residential fire and explosion at 114 Kitchener Road in Scarborough. There is evidence of a significant explosion. The fire has been successfully contained. pic.twitter.com/nCzoILF6WQ
— Matthew Pegg (@ChiefPeggTFS) November 12, 2023
"From an operational standpoint, we are proceeding with the understanding that there may be one person remaining in the structure," said Pegg.
In addition to the yet-to-be-recovered occupant, Pegg told assembled reporters that one firefighter sustained minor injuries battling the ensuing blaze and was transported to hospital as a precaution.
The fire has since been contained, and crews continue to search the remains of the home as of Monday morning.
This is all that’s left of home on Kitchener rd in Scarborough after explosion/fire yesterday. Crews will search thru debris for owner who was inside when explosion occurred. People blocks away heard/felt blast that levelled the home & damaged neighbouring homes. No cause yet pic.twitter.com/nT4h7xWcku
— carl hanstke (@carlCityNews) November 13, 2023
Toronto Fire has not shared any explanation as to the cause of the explosion. However, Pegg advised anyone to call 9-1-1 if they smell gas, and Enbridge has reportedly shut off all gas supply to the neighbourhood — suggesting a possible cause.
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