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Seven people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after an explosion at a building under construction in North York on Tuesday morning prompted a major emergency response and road closures in the area.
Toronto Fire Services said crews were called to 68 Esther Shiner Boulevard, near Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue East, at approximately 9:18 a.m. for a report of a natural gas fire in a penthouse unit on the 22nd floor. Initial reports suggested a possible explosion, although no flames were visible when firefighters arrived.
Toronto police later confirmed The incident was being treated as an industrial accident. Emergency services responded to calls of an explosion inside the building, which was under construction at the time. As a precaution, the site was completely evacuated of workers.
Police said seven people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Earlier, Toronto Fire reported that six patients were assessed at the scene.
Gas service to the building was shut off, and crews evacuated parts of the structure while securing the area. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the incident.
Officials noted that contract work was going on in or around the building at the time, although it is unclear whether this contributed to the incident.
By late morning, westbound Esther Shiner Boulevard was closed at Provost Drive, and travelers were advised to avoid the area.