People are scrambling to help unforeseen victims of six-alarm Toronto fire and its toxic runoff
In the wake of an out-of-control fire that gutted part of an industrial area of Toronto on Friday, local organizations are alerting the public to a group of victims harmed by the blaze — as well as the efforts to put it out — that have been overlooked.
Wildlife in the area of the accident are now looking like stars of a Dawn soap commercial as they struggle to wade through the toxic gunk that has made its way into waterways around Highway 409 and Highway 27.
Mimico Creek in particular is now full of the runoff from the six-alarm inferno, which took place at a chemical distribution company that housed thousands of litres of vehicle fluids, oils, lubricants, solvents and other hazardous materials at the Etobicoke address.
In a series of photos shared by the Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) over the weekend, a very visible layer of unnatural muck can be seen floating atop the tributary, posing a risk to local flora and fauna, especially waterfowl like ducks and geese.
"This potentially toxic substance, sitting about one-inch thick on top of the water, could have a serious impact on local waterbirds and other wildlife," the group wrote, asking residents to keep an eye out for wildlife who could be at risk, or are already covered in the stuff.
Anyone who spots groups of aquatic birds in the area who may wade into the sludge, or any individual animals that appear oily and/or are excessively cleaning themselves, can call TWC's wildlife hotline at 416-631-0662 and find more information about what to do on their website.
Volunteers from the charity were out rescuing critters from the polluted waters all weekend, spotting dozens of mallard ducks, a heron, and others drenched in the chemicals.
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