The City of Toronto will take over the cleanup of Sunrise Propane's site on Murray Road after it failed to submit a plan for dealing with propane tanks remaining after the Aug. 10 explosion that decimated a Downsview neighbourhood.Mayor David Miller made the announcement Friday, Aug. 29 alongside Ontario Fire Marshall Pat Burke and Deputy Toronto Fire Chief Jim Shelton.
"We're here today to announce that Toronto will immediately take over the cleanup of the site of the Aug. 10 explosion and fire," Miller told reporters. "The site includes the private property on which Sunrise was operating. This is a continuation of the efforts made by the city to ensure that the neighbourhood is cleaned up, restored to safety and that all appropriate measures are taken."
The cleanup marks the second intervention by the city to deal with the aftermath of the explosion, which resulted in two deaths and caused massive destruction in the surrounding community and spread asbestos there.
Toronto first took over cleanup of the residential neighbourhoods surrounding the plant after Sunrise failed to comply with a residential cleanup plan ordered by the Ministry of the Environment.
On Aug. 21, the ministry issued a second order, demanding that Sunrise and the property owners hire a qualified consultant and submit plans for securing the site - including controlling dust and monitoring air quality.
Sunrise did not respond to this order either, Miller said.
The city will be seeking compensation from Sunrise for the work that it's undertaking, but Miller said the immediate plan is to clean up the site.
"Our first concern is that the site is cleaned up and handled in a very professional and safe manner," Miller said. "And ... it's very important that we act now. We simply can't wait."
Of particular concern is an undetermined number of cylinders on the site that still contain propane but were damaged in the blast and fire. Toronto Fire Service personnel are working with the Toronto Fire Marshall's office to determine just how many are there - and what condition they're in - before any time line or cost estimate comes forward.
"As you can understand from the explosion itself, this has to be conducted in a very safe way, safety has to be first and it will take some time," Miller said.
The cleanup also had to wait until the Ontario Fire Marshall's investigation was complete. Now it is but Burke said at this point investigators have found no evident cause.
Toronto Fire Services are remaining on site to ensure the safety of the community surrounding the property.