TORONTO - An audit of nearly 1,500 small propane facilities across Ontario found 35 sites that posed an immediate hazard, and more than 800 that were not in compliance with all safety regulations.

The audit by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority was done after last summer's explosion at Sunrise Propane in Toronto, which left two people dead and forced 12,000 from their homes.

A total of 816 of the smaller facilities - mostly corner stores that sell propane - were in non-compliance, including 35 that the agency said posed an immediate hazard.

Those violations included minor leaks, inoperative safety valves, improperly trained staff or invalid operating licences.

The safety authority says it ordered propane facilities that posed a hazard to be shut temporarily until they were in compliance with all regulations.

All were back in operation within a week.