Residents displaced after partial roof collapse of building under renovation in Chinatown

Close to two dozen people were displaced following a partial roof collapse of a building under renovation in Toronto’s Chinatown neighbourhood.

Emergency crews responded to the scene around 7 p.m. Tuesday evening on Spadina Avenue just south of Nassau Street.

No injuries were reported but the area was blocked off to vehicular and pedestrian traffic most of the morning due to structural concerns.

Authorities say no one was inside the building when the roof gave way but people living in the adjacent structures were told to leave as a precaution.

The building is the future site of a youth centre for the Yonge Street Mission and a spokesperson said the structure has been “re-shored to restore the building’s integrity.”

“The safety of the surrounding residents and businesses is our primary concern and we are very grateful that the residents who were displaced last night were permitted to return to their homes this morning,” Angela Solomos, chief philanthropy officer of the Yonge Street Mission, said in a statement.

Solomos said all requisite permits were issued for this project and she doesn’t know if the incident will affect the renovation timeline.

The roof collapse is currently being investigated by the Ministry of Labour.