Several semi-detached houses were evacuated Saturday afternoon after a wall collapsed during the underpinning of a home in the city’s east end.
The incident was reported at 585 Coxwell Avenue, near Danforth Avenue, around 3 p.m., according to Toronto Fire Capt. David Eckerman.
When firefighters arrived, they found that some bricks had fallen during the underpinning of a home, Capt. Eckerman said.
Nobody was injured in the incident, but a few nearby homes were evacuated and electricity was cut as a precaution. The homes will remain unoccupied until a structural engineer can assess the risk.
A TTC bus was called to the scene to shelter the displaced residents.
The building inspector has been notified, Capt. Eckerman said.
A neighbour who owns the other half of the semi-detached home said she was not aware of the Saturday renovations.
“They had mentioned that they wanted to do some underpinning but I thought it would be later in the year because you need to get soil samples, permits and it would be a long process. Plus, I’m sure, my permission as well,” said homeowner Lauren Stephens.
A woman who rents next door said she will need to find another place to stay until she’s allowed to return home.
“We got to find a hotel tonight for, they told us, at least a couple nights until they assess the extent of the damage,” said resident Rebecca Mattina.
Underpinning is a construction project designed to strengthen a building’s foundation.
A similar incident happened in Toronto’s Upper Beach neighbourhood last month. Several homes on Corley Avenue were evacuated on Dec. 28 due to concerns that a semi-detached home might collapse after a major renovation went awry.
A neighbour told CTV Toronto at the time that the house was being lowered onto a new foundation when a crack formed in a wall. A fence was later built around the property as officials worked to secure the building.
