The major news story in Toronto last week was the devastating explosions and fire at the Sunrise Propane Energy site by the Keele and Finch area. The disaster saw thousands of residents evacuate the area and caused serious damage to nearby homes and businesses. As residents begin to return home, and the authorities are investigating the cause of the blasts, lawsuits are also getting underway, taking aim at both Sunrise Propane and the Province of Ontario. From CTV:

Two Toronto law firms say they’ll file papers on Wednesday to start a $300 million class-action lawsuit on behalf of business owners and residents affected by this weekend’s propane blasts.

The City of Toronto and Sunrise Propane Energey Group Inc., the site of Sunday’s massive explosions, will be named on a notice of action, according to the website classproceedings.ca

The website states that the Toronto firms of Stevensons LLP and Bogoroch & Associates also “intend to commence an action against the Province of Ontario.”

Technical Standards and Safety Authority, a provincial agency, is also expected to be named in the suit after it and the province receive a required 60 day notice, according to the site. The suit will be filed “in respect of the devastating propane gas explosions which occurred on August 10, 2008,” said the website.

Questions of negligence, nuisance and trespass are likely to be brought up in the cases against Sunrise and the City of Toronto. Whether the $300 million in compensation will cover the losses of the thousands of residents in the area remains to be seen.

This news comes amid Toronto Mayor David Miller’s call for a review of the city’s zoning policies to question the safety of industrial facilities in the vicinity of residential areas.

“Is it wise to have a propane facility of this kind immediately adjacent to residential properties?” Miller asked rhetorically at a press conference on Monday.

“Obviously, in light of what happened, the answer is ‘no.’”

Given the magnitude of the incident, it is likely that more lawsuits will be made following the release of the investigation’s findings. The risk of asbestos poisoning coming from structural damage and concerns over air quality are likely to be the root of future grievances against the city and the province.

Were you near the blast or know someone who was? How has the explosion affected you? What action, legally or otherwise, would you take against the city? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.