'The roof would have fallen on me': Toronto resident speaks out after condo gym's ceiling collapses
Sharif Abdala said he was working out at his condo building’s gym Wednesday night when the ceiling collapsed and debris nearly fell on top of him.
It happened at around 11:15 p.m. inside Reunion Crossing, the newer condo complex located at 1808 St. Clair Avenue West, just east of Old Weston Road.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Although he was wearing headphones, he said he could hear soft noises like wood cracking before hearing a much louder sound.
When he looked up, he said he saw the ceiling was bent. Abdala said he told the only other person in the gym, a woman on a treadmill, to get out and run.
“If it fell without those warning noises, I would have been in the hospital,” Abdala told CTV News Toronto. “If I stayed there, the roof would have fallen on me.”
In the photos, the ceiling can be seen covering most of the gym floor, swallowing equipment in what appears to be grey debris and beige insulation. Some wiring is also seen dangling overhead.
Ceiling collapses over a Toronto condo's fitness facility on Nov. 1. (Supplied)
A spokesperson of the development company told CTV News Toronto no injuries were reported.
"We can confirm an isolated incident yesterday in our condominium community ... in which a finishing detail in the design of our fitness facility became dislodged from the ceiling," Danny Roth, on behalf of Diamond Kilmer Developments, told CTV News Toronto in a statement. Toronto Fire Services said they were not dispatched to the building.
The area has been temporarily closed off to make way for an investigation and "necessary repairs," Roth said.
"As the incident appears to have resulted from the failure of a design element, our construction consultants and engineers continue to advise that there is no concern as to the structural integrity of the units or building structure itself," the statement read.
The building's construction commenced in June 2020, following delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the condo's construction updates online.
Abdala said he feels lucky he managed to escape, and happy he was able to warn the woman on the treadmill. But, Abdala also said this close call has pushed him to look for a new place to live.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
BREAKING Manhunt underway for suspect after several people shot in Kentucky near Interstate 75, officials say
Several people have been shot near Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s office.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
Trump campaigns in Wisconsin just days ahead of debate with Harris
With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump leaned into his familiar grievances about everything from his indictments to the border as he campaigned in one of the most deeply Republican swaths of battleground Wisconsin.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.