Brick Facade Falls From Yonge and Gould Street Heritage Building

TORONTO, April 16 /CNW/ - Toronto Fire Services responded today at approximately 1240h, to a partial collapse of a north facing exterior wall. The double brick facade between the second and third floors came crashing down unexpectedly, leaving a debris field of brick, well into the center of Gould Street.

Initially, it was not known if persons were caught in the collapse. Toronto Police Services cadavor dogs were brought in to search the rubble. Toronto Fire rescue crews were unable to initiate a search due to the tenuous conditions of the unsupported third floor wall above.

At the time of the collapse, renovations of a doorway were taking place and a missing lintel may have created a domino affect of falling brick.

Demolition and City of Toronto Engineers have surveyed the building from a Toronto Fire Services Platform in an attempt to determine the structural stability of the building.

Yonge Street is closed from Dundas to Gerrard. TTC service in the area has been diverted.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In the past three years, Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.

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