Music by Les Baxter and Bas Sheva
Video by Ryan Oakley
Length 2 minutes thirty seconds
February 17, 2009. A Tuesday Evening. A date which will live in infamy
In a disaster that some are already calling Toronto’s second September 11, the neighbourhood coin laundry on Queen West, filled up with smoke.
Fire-fighters braved the raging inferno and turned on a fan while horrified patrons watched, helpless, from the side-walk. Their clothes would not be cleaned tonight. Perhaps, not ever. Nor will their quarters be returned. It is estimated that tonight’s tragedy cost the local economy as much as eighteen dollars and the city much more.
One witness recalled last year when Queen West had its first September 11. Also in February. That catastrophe burned down a few shops. No one was hurt.We can only pray that no one was hurt tonight and everyone will, someday, get their laundry done.
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3 comments
Filmik
February 18, 2009 at 11:19 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am somewhat offended, and deeply regret that you did not mention the Heroes in your article and movie on our second 9/11.
I agree the victims are important, but we must not forget about the heroes.
Even though I did not see the glowing green trucks, and only the red ones,
the swiftness and bravery of our uniformed officers working diligently around the clock suggests some form of involvement
of the rising stars of this heroic age: The Toronto Hydro.
laurenarcher
February 18, 2009 at 11:36 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Lint Trap or Death Trap?
The Queen Street West BIA orchestrated the entire attack.
Ryan Oakley
February 18, 2009 at 6:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I meant no offence.
Except for Hydro (Dog Shockers) the heroes were all there. The TTC, the police, ambulances and the fire-fighters. God bless them all.
If not for them, any interested citizen with a fire extinguisher and the wit to open the door would have to put themselves in peril. And who has a fan kicking around? No one. That’s who.
It took them over an hour but they saved the day. This city works!
And Lauren, those conspiracy theories just insult the memory of all the people who lost their quarters in this most recent Sept. 11.