BlogTO published amazing photographs of the six alarm fire on Queen and Bathurst that started this morning. (I lived two doors east of the collapsed buildings back when I was an art student) No loss of life is the good news.
Incredible photos. The TFD are amazing - aren't they?
The whole scenario hit home for me - this wasn't the first fire to hit Queen West. Back around '52 - a massive six alarm blaze broke out in an old warehouse at the S/W corner of Queen and Dufferin - my dad was in his early 20s and new to the job. Anyway, while the building was still smouldering the chief (in a colossal error of bad judgement) sent my dad and his friend and fellow firefighter Harley back into the building to retrieve equipment. The building collapsed on them burying them under tons of rubble and burning debris. Then the entire operation switched into a search and rescue. They found them - my dad received the last rites for the second time in his life - his friend Harley didn't fare too well and succumbed to his injuries shortly after. So, there's a bit of Toronto history - a badly designed mini mall now stands on that corner.
Thanks for that gripping story, KW. I fear a badly designed wing of Home Depot will soon stand where yesterday's fire took place.
I used to live across the street from that ugly-ass mini mall.
Orest Tataryn, the neon artist, used to be a fireman and (at my request of course) he has to tell me every goulish tale he can remember whenever I bump into him at an opening. (It's amazing what fire departments are called in to deal with)
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BlogTO published amazing photographs of the six alarm fire on Queen and Bathurst that started this morning. (I lived two doors east of the collapsed buildings back when I was an art student) No loss of life is the good news.
- L.M. 2-21-2008 4:22 am
Incredible photos. The TFD are amazing - aren't they?
The whole scenario hit home for me - this wasn't the first fire to hit Queen West. Back around '52 - a massive six alarm blaze broke out in an old warehouse at the S/W corner of Queen and Dufferin - my dad was in his early 20s and new to the job. Anyway, while the building was still smouldering the chief (in a colossal error of bad judgement) sent my dad and his friend and fellow firefighter Harley back into the building to retrieve equipment. The building collapsed on them burying them under tons of rubble and burning debris. Then the entire operation switched into a search and rescue. They found them - my dad received the last rites for the second time in his life - his friend Harley didn't fare too well and succumbed to his injuries shortly after. So, there's a bit of Toronto history - a badly designed mini mall now stands on that corner.
- KW (guest) 2-21-2008 9:03 pm
Thanks for that gripping story, KW. I fear a badly designed wing of Home Depot will soon stand where yesterday's fire took place.
- sally mckay 2-21-2008 9:40 pm
I used to live across the street from that ugly-ass mini mall.
Orest Tataryn, the neon artist, used to be a fireman and (at my request of course) he has to tell me every goulish tale he can remember whenever I bump into him at an opening. (It's amazing what fire departments are called in to deal with)
- L.M. 2-21-2008 10:24 pm