Hydro vault explosion forced evacuation of apartment

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Nearly four weeks after an explosion left them homeless, the residents of 2 Secord Ave. still don't know for sure when they'll be able to return home for good.

Danny Roth said they were looking at a target of the end of the month to have the 900 residents return to their apartments in the 22-storey highrise that has been left vacant since an explosion forced residents to flee on the morning of Sunday, July 20. Roth is a spokesperson for the building property manager Preston Group.

"The end of August target was something we felt comfortable going public with," he said.

Residents are being allowed back into their units for the second time to gather personal belongings. Suite visits are to be conducted from Aug. 18-20 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Those residents who wish to revisit their units are being asked to call 905-740-1761 to schedule an appointment; only residents with an appointment will be allowed into the building.

"We understand the desire of residents to get back in to gather more belongings," Roth said.

He added residents can use this opportunity to let their insurance adjustors survey the damage to get the claims process started (renters insurance was a requirement of tenancy in the building). There is a limit of two residents and one insurance representative per unit.

The explosion in an underground hydro vault jolted residents and ignited a fire in the highrise northeast of Danforth Avenue and Dawes Road. Thick smoke billowed outside and filled the building, travelling through the elevator shaft and ventilation system causing the most smoke damage to the units on the top floors. Resident were forced to flee, many with only the clothes on their back.

Emergency officials and investigators worked in the days that followed to ensure the building was structurally sound. Despite extensive damage to the parking garage, the asphalt above the hydro box and in the surrounding visitor parking area, engineers determined the building was sound.

Francine Antonio, a spokesperson with the City of Toronto, said investigators have now finished their work on site and the building has been turned over to the property manager. It isn't known when the investigation report will be completed.

"We're in the process of cleaning the common areas and doing any necessary repair work," Roth said.

He said the property management company is now doing the work necessary to be able to get an occupancy permit from the city.

"We're doing everything we can to get (residents) back in," Roth said. "We know it's been a long process, a long summer for the residents."

Following the explosion, some residents took shelter in a relief centre set up by the city at Secord Public School, but most stayed with family and friends. A few days after the incident there were no longer any residents staying at the centre overnight and more than 100 tenants were put up in emergency housing in hotels across Toronto by the city. The city is still operating the relief centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Secord Community Centre at the south end of the school property.

Residents can also reach the city for assistance by calling 416-717-8285 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For assistance outside of these hours, tenants can call 416-338-4766.