Mississauga Fire Chief Tim Beckett says the cause of this morning's explosion in Mississauga is still no clearer because a natural gas line is still feeding the resulting flames.
Chief Beckett's best guess is that the strip mall is made up of about 20 units & roughly a third of them collapsed in the blast. He believes most are businesses but some are apartments.
Beckett's says about 25 people who live near the blast site are barred from their homes and not allowed to return until safety inspectors give them the ok.
He isn't sure how long they'll be in the lurch. So much debris is piled over the blast site that crews called in a backhoe to help clear it. Once the excess natural gas burns off, they can start digging.
The clean up is also being complicated by the weather, with freezing rain turning surfaces slippery. The principal at the high school across from the strip mall that exploded talks about the possibility of a 'contingency plan'.
Officials at TL Kennedy Secondary say they'll fan out a notice if tomorrow's classes are affected.
Three people were taken to hosptial went the blast hit around 7:30 am Sunday morning. One man was originally diagnosed with serious injuries, but was later upgraded to stable.
A woman and young boy were taken with minor injuries and are said to be ok.
The Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating.
Hurontario Street is expected to remain closed between Dundas Street and Hillcrest Avenue right through Monday.
with files from James Moore/Corinne Van Dusen