Homes evacuated near Michael Garron Hospital after 'significant' gas leak at emergency entrance
A significant gas leak at Michael Garron Hospital’s emergency entrance has prompted the evacuation of several homes in the area and forced students at nearby schools to shelter in place.
The natural gas line was ruptured by construction crews working outside the hospital, located in the area of Coxwell and Mortimer avenues, at around 9:30 a.m., Toronto Fire told CP24.
The gas line that was struck is approximately five to six-feet deep, Toronto Fire said, and emergency crews are currently waiting for Enbridge to cap the leak.
As a precaution, a large perimeter has been set up around the hospital and police said drivers and pedestrians should avoid the area.
Toronto Fire said that there is no indication that the east-end hospital will be evacuated but patients are being redirected away from the hospital's emergency room.
The TDSB says students and staff at nearby schools, including RH McGregor Elementary School, are being asked to shelter in place. The East York Civic Centre has also been evacuated.
Occupants of homes and businesses in the area bounded by Mortimer Avenue to Barker Avenue and Coxwell Avenue to Crestland Avenue have been evacuated, police said.
A command post has been set up at Sammon and Coxwell avenues and TTC buses are on site for residents who have been displaced by the gas leak, police said.
No injuries have been reported.
In a statement, Michael Garron Hospital said "some patient care may be delayed" due to the gas leak.
"Patients who are impacted will be notified by their care teams as soon as possible," the statement read.
"We are working closely with Toronto Fire to identify areas on the hospital campus where staff and patients need to be temporarily relocated on-site. MGH remains a safe place to give and receive care."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.