TORONTO – An east-end Toronto family is still not allowed back in their home more than a week after police deemed it unsafe amid fears it could collapse.
“It’s devastating for everyone involved, and we’re just trying to cope with it,” said Vincent Tsang, who was evacuated from the semi-detached home on Corley Avenue.
Tsang, who lives with his wife and three young children in the Upper Beaches neighbourhood, said the family’s adjacent neighbours were doing a renovation to their basement when a large crack formed in the foundation while construction was taking place.
READ MORE: Home under renovation in east-end Toronto evacuated after fear of collapse
Police evacuated three nearby homes, including Tsang’s, on Dec. 28 due to the possibility of structural collapse.
But Lloyd said the work of the original renovators was by the book, adding they were following “all the right steps” and that the crack could have been caused by a number of factors, including the age of the house.
He added that houses built 50 to 100 years ago used a “double brick” foundation that would tie in to floor joists — meaning that if the brick were to shift, the floor would as well, leading to the cracks that can be seen along the side and back of the house under renovation.
The resulting damage has left Tsang’s home vulnerable to collapse to the point where the he had to be escorted through the house by a structural engineer to collect his family’s belongings Wednesday.
“It’s the basic necessities, it’s confusing because you’re trying to organize kids,” said Tsang.
“It’s just one step at a time.”
Tsang says the meantime, the’s family has been staying with strangers who opened their doors to them just after Christmas.
“A neighbour I don’t even know has allowed us to stay. You’re going to bring tears to my eyes. They let us stay for three weeks,” said Tsang.
The city says the external shoring of the home is complete and work is underway to the inside of the home.
Once all shoring is done and approved by the Ministry of Labour, city engineers will determine if the houses are salvageable and safe.
Until then, the homes will have to stay vacated.
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