Dozens of people who were displaced by a fire at a high-rise building aren’t any closer to finding out when they will be allowed to return to their homes or workplaces.
At a meeting Monday, tenants of 914, 920 and 926 Yonge St., a residential and commercial complex just north of Bloor Street, were told they may be out of the building for another two weeks to a month or even longer.
Tenants were forced to leave last Wednesday after a water main break flooded the basement and caused a three-alarm fire in a hydro vault, leading to a partial power failure.
Before tenants can return, the damage must be repaired and the fire and electrical systems and elevators must be assessed to ensure they are in safe working order, according to Brookfield Residential Services, a property management company.
The company met with anxious tenants, insurance adjusters, engineers, police, fire and city officials and others at the Toronto Reference Library on Monday morning.
After the meeting, some tenants told CP24 that they aren’t happy with the uncertainty.
“We were told basically nothing except that it would probably be 30 to 60 days before residents and commercial can get back in the building, it’s a pretty big disaster,” said business owner Jae Gold. “The City of Toronto sort of doesn’t want to admit that it’s the infrastructure that caused this, but they’re ready for insurance claims.”
There are about 105 residential suites in the building. Residents have been offered temporary shelter if they have nowhere to go while they are displaced from their suites.
Meanwhile, tenants are hoping to receive a firm date of return when the property management company holds another meeting next week.
With files from CP24 reporter Nathan Downer
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