Mysterious mountain of dirt appears in Toronto neighbourhood
Residents of a Toronto neighbourhood want answers after a massive pile of dirt appeared and no one seems to know where it came from.
“It's an eyesore. Look at it. It's a mountain. A three-storey mountain of dirt,” Francesca Pivetta told CTV News Toronto at the site near Old Weston Road and St. Clair Avenue West.
“We can't open up the windows. The house is full of dirt. It's difficult to breathe,” she said.
Those who live in the area said they first noticed the dirt piling up about two months ago at the parking lot of the former Toronto Weston Flea Market, which closed down in 2019.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Gord Autterson rents a plot of land at the Silverthorne Allotment Garden next door and said the residual dust rolling off the mountain is a problem.
“We don't know where that dirt, that soil, is coming from all the dust is blowing over onto stuff that we need,” Autterson said.
A massive dirt pile has been growing in Toronto's Stockyards District for two months and no one seems to know where it came from.
Contractors working in the area who spoke to CTV News Toronto said the dirt did not come from nearby construction projects.
Toronto City Councillor Ana Bailão, who represents Ward 9 – Davenport where the pile is located, could not be reached for comment.
At the same time, a spokesperson for the City of Toronto said in an email that staff are investigating the accumulation of dirt and its origins.
"The City is investigating the activity taking place at 404 Old Weston Road and a referral has been made to the Ministry of Environment for their investigation into this issue," the spokesperson said, adding that a site foreman has "assured" the city that they are working to remove the soil as quickly as possible.
With files from Sean Leathong
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.