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‘Explosive levels’ of sewer gas prompted evacuation of several homes on Etobicoke street

Click to play video: 'Potentially explosive substance in Etobicoke causes evacuations'
Potentially explosive substance in Etobicoke causes evacuations
WATCH ABOVE: As many as 15 Etobicoke homes were evacuated after potentially dangerous substance detected in sewers. Kamil Karamali reports – Feb 20, 2020

Emergency crews are working to evacuate residents in several homes on an Etobicoke street due to “explosive levels” of gas coming from a sewer, officials say.

A Toronto Fire Services spokesperson told Global News crews were called a home on Bulbourne Road, north of Albion Road and Finch Avenue West, just before 2 p.m. after a homeowner smelled gas in the basement.

After firefighters arrived, the spokesperson said it was determined the gas wasn’t coming from the home. The odour was determined to be coming from nearby sewers.

The spokesperson said 10 to 15 homes were subsequently evacuated as a result.

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Toronto Fire Services and police initially said the gas reached “explosive levels.” However, the gas dissipated as the afternoon went on.

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Crews went on to flush the sewers in the immediate area, but the material was also found in a nearby creek.

Hazardous materials crews, Toronto police, Enbridge and Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment were all called to assist in responding to the incident.

TTC shelter buses were ordered to help keep residents warm.

Residents were allowed back in their homes a few hours after the initial call.

The exact materials producing the gas weren’t immediately known as of Thursday evening.

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