Blasts heard in Toronto caused by a hydro fire
Heavy black smoke billows from grates in financial district
TORONTO — A busy intersection in Toronto’s financial district was shut down Monday evening after a series of explosions that police said were caused by a hydro vault fire.
The first explosion was heard shortly after 5 p.m. and heavy black smoke was seen billowing from a set of grates outside a Royal Bank office building near King Street and Yonge Street.
The incident, which took place during the evening rush hour, resulted in police herding crowds away from the scene.
“Did you hear those sounds? Those are explosions,” an officer was heard yelling to bystanders. “We don’t know what’s happening. So if you please head east, head north, head south, just come off of King Street.”
Police said no injuries had been reported.
Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg said the incident was related to a hydro vault fire that had been contained and controlled. Crews were dealing with smoke migration, he said.
Toronto Hydro spokesperson Florence Gabriel said the utility was aware of a power outage at the building outside where the blasts took place and crews were dispatched to the scene.
The incident shut down a nearby subway station and caused several streetcars to take detours. Police cruisers blocked off streets in the area and officers were seen wearing surgical masks as smoke hung in the air.
The Royal Bank office building and parts of an underground shopping concourse were evacuated due to heavy smoke, fire officials said.
Platoon Chief Kevin Shaw said the area would remain blocked off until the hydro vault is de-energized and the fire is fully extinguished.
“We don’t know the cause, it could be dampness, water or an aging hydro vault, or all of the above,” Shaw told reporters at a news conference at the scene Monday evening.
“It all leads up to one of these fires.”
He said he has seen worse hydro vault fires downtown, but added that crews had to take precautions because it happened at the beginning of rush hour.