Sunrise Propane has issued its first – and, for now, last – statement since last week's disastrous propane explosion in northwest Toronto, expressing regret for "the tragic loss of life" and "for the events and turmoil that has resulted from that day."
Firefighter Bob Leek, 55, died in the aftermath of the blast. A body found at the site and yet to be identified is suspected to be that of employee Parminder Saini, 24.
In the short news release, spokesperson Danny Roth said that "out of an abundance of caution and a desire for the investigatory process to unfold free of speculation and misinformation, we will not be making any further public comments at this time."
The company said it will continue to cooperate fully with investigators and encourage "all concerned to assume an equally prudent position, and refrain from a rush to judgment."
At Queen's Park, Consumer Minister Harinder Takhar is expected to comment today on a proposed propane site inspection plan, which was to be delivered to him by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority by last night.
Takhar demanded the plan in a meeting last week with two top officials from the TSSA, the private, not-for-profit agency that implements provincial law on handling propane.
Takhar has said he wants the TSSA to outline its plans to inspect all large facilities across the province "over and above" what their plans had been for the year before the Sunrise blast. The agency typically requires an on-site inspection every three years and reports on self-inspection annually.
After touring the devastated area on Monday, Premier Dalton McGuinty said the government would look at how to "best protect the public's safety," including reviewing the regulations on distance of propane storage from neighbourhoods and whether the TSSA should be put back under Queen's Park's control.
Meanwhile yesterday, frazzled residents stared at their boarded-up homes, as city crews continued their massive cleanup effort.
On Spalding Rd., John Santoro took a look inside his mother's home. Santoro, 44, is the man behind the $300 million class action lawsuit against Sunrise Propane.
"Oh my God. What is that? That reeks," he said, walking through the door onto cracked tile and shattered glass. It was the stench of rotting food and sour milk. The fridge had been off for more than a week.
Dana Manna, 40, visited her childhood home on Murray Rd. to meet an air quality inspection crew sent by the insurance company.
"The city did tests outside the home for asbestos, but not the interior. The insurance company (is arranging that). For now, they've told us not to go inside," she said.
