Firefighters injured in massive fire will have ‘long recovery’: chief

Watch video above: Firefighters injured in massive fire will have ‘long recovery.’ Sean Mallen reports. 

TORONTO – Three of the four firefighters injured during an explosion at a Mississauga warehouse Wednesday are still in hospital receiving treatment for “blast” injuries including broken bones and internal damage.

It could be some time before the three firefighters are released from hospital.

“They were very seriously injured and they will have a very long recovery,” Mississauga fire chief John McDougall said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. “They have varying injuries and degrees but as you can tell they were just about to enter the building, you can see the debris field, so it’s definitely blast related injuries.”

Mississauga fire has identified the injured firefighters Capt. Brad Hamilton, 38, Acting Capt. Al Mills, 47, Tim Casarin, 46, and Daryl Roy, 35.

Two of the firefighters had surgery yesterday. The fourth firefighter was treated for smoke-inhalation and released Wednesday afternoon.

The blaze broke out Wednesday morning at a warehouse near Pearson International Airport. The cause of the fire is still unknown and investigators are still trying to figure out exactly what was in the building but believe it could include butane tanks, bug spray cans, pesticides and printer toner.

Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion was concerned yesterday that firefighters didn’t know what was inside the building because the last time the building was inspected, a year ago, it was empty.

“We don’t know of any occupancy permit that was granted by the city for the building to be occupied with the type of material,” she said noting the firefighters were seriously injured by the collapsing walls and numerous explosions.

Chief McDougall couldn’t confirm whether the building had an occupancy permit but noted it was something the Office of the Fire Marshall was investigating.

–        With files from The Canadian Press