Toronto residents blasted awake by a massive propane explosion one year ago gathered Sunday, to remember the tragic event.
Despite the thunderstorms hovering over the city, residents gathered at Ancaster Park this afternoon for food and company.
Local resident Rosanna Iaboni said the gathering had brought the community closer together.
"There are people who are now getting involved in ways they never were before," she said.
The blast happened on Aug. 10, 2008, at the Sunrise Propane facility in Downsview. The force of the explosion caused a fireball more than 150 metres in height and damaged hundreds of nearby homes.
"I just remember waking up to the screams of my husband telling me to get out of the house," said another resident, Bice Amorosa.
The explosion caused so much damage to her home it was left uninhabitable.
About 13,000 people fled the area, and one person died: Parminder Saini, a 25-year-old part-time employee of Sunrise who had come from India to study and work.
Later, firefighter Bob Leek collapsed trying to battle the blaze and couldn't be revived. He had been off-duty at the time but wanted to help.
Resident James Durling said the propane facility should never have been so close to people's homes.
"I blame the governing bodies for ever allowing something like this in a residential area," he said. "I don't care what the bylaws say, there has to be common sense."
The Ontario Fire Marshal's office has been investigating the explosion for the past year and a report is expected.
Last week, the Ontario Ministry of Labour laid two charges against Sunrise Propane under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. If convicted, the company would have to pay up to $1 million.
With a report by CTV Toronto's John Musselman
