Explosion kills 1 in Canada's Toronto area

TORONTO - A huge explosion occurred Tuesday on the eastern outskirts of Toronto, Canada's biggest city, killing one person and injuring nine others.

A bird's view of the explosion site on the eastern outskirts of Toronto, Canada.  [Photo/Agencies]

The cause of the blast that took place at about 4:20 p.m. (2020 GMT) in Mississauga, Ontario, remains unknown. Local police said it is too early to speculate on what led to the explosion.

Garrett Brazzier, who was driving on Rathburn Road East near the blast scene, said: "I heard a loud bang, like a super-loud bang. It sounded like a bomb went off, almost. I looked in my rear-view mirror and there was debris flying everywhere. There was a huge dust cloud."

Fire crews will search the scene for clues of the cause of the blast and victims.

An official at the scene told reporters that, 25 houses were impacted by the explosion, six were heavily damaged.

Police have evacuated the area, and 50 to 100 people have been forced to leave their homes. A reception area was set up.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said gas and power to 58 homes have been cut off. Residents were told they should expect to be away from their homes "for a significant period of time."