Toronto Waterfront

Morning Brew: Hoarding and a cigarette caused the 200 Wellesley fire, Dundas could be the first subway station to get a name change, mysterious white powder shows up at Liberal office on Parliament, and lots of road closures for Sunday's Honda Indy

As has long been suspected, hoarding, along with a careless cigarette, were the chief factors responsible for the fire at 200 Wellesley Street East. According to the report released by the Ontario Fire Marshal on Tuesday, a cigarette landed on a bundle of "combustible material" on a hoarder's balcony and ignited the blaze, causing significant property loss and damage to the building's tenants. The Ontario Fire Marshal went on to say that fellow Ontarians should report on known hoarders, though tenants say that won't help matters — they'll just keep hoarding anyway.

Looks like Dundas Station is going to be the TTC's guinea pig when it comes to selling station's naming rights. TTC chair Karen Stintz said Tuesday that the TTC wants to use the station's much-needed face-lift as a pilot project for future stations, and she singled out Ryerson University as a potential partner for the new undertaking. The school's president, Sheldon Levy, said he's interested and even likes the sound of "Dundas-Ryerson station". I guess it's better than "Dundas-Doritos."

Some mysterious "white powder" was delivered to the Cabbagetown office shared by Ontario MPP Glen Murray and interim federal Liberal leader Bob Rae yesterday. It caused some itching and sneezing, but was later determined to be "innocuous." A 50-year-old woman was later apprehended. Her motivation remains unknown, but apparently things like this have happened to Murray before. The MP, who is openly gay, has been receiving regular death threats since 1998, and used to wear a bullet-proof vest to events as a safety precaution.

The Star pays some love to the Toronto Kiss Map, a project that aims to plot memorable kisses and heavy petting across the city. Created by local writing instructor Chris Kay Fraser, the map won the May edition of the Awesome Foundation awards. Fraser says she hopes to foster the feeling that Torontonians are all connected in a "beautifully intertwined way". Aww.

IN BRIEF:

Photo by Jude Marion in the blogTO Flickr pool.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in MB Toronto

Morning Brew: Councillors say Fords are in conflict over sewage spill, PCs pitch relief line, TTC driver under fire, Presto likely delayed, and local moonshine hits LCBO

Morning Brew: Daniel Dale libel suit to proceed despite apology, communication system hobbled TTC Monday, more snow is due, and Ford (plus council) dances again

Morning Brew: Daniel Dale to proceed with libel action, fresh snow makes for sloppy roads, Mammoliti billed $25K for office renos, and council meeting ends in chaos

Morning Brew: Karen Stintz to step down as TTC chair, Rob Ford busts a move in church, Conrad Black hits out, and effigy burnt in protest at Queen subway shooting

Morning Brew: Doug Ford sorry for handing out cash at TCHC complex, Rob Ford silent on Daniel Dale libel suit, and NDP leader calls for Nelson Mandela station

Morning Brew: Integrity commissioner declines to probe crack scandal, reporters, a few councillors attend Ford's xmas party, and motion could re-open subway debate

Morning Brew: Mammoliti event under investigation, Fords should leave police budget talks, report calls for GO trains over relief line, and Rob Ford claymation

Morning Brew: Ford says Bill Blair politically motivated, cop sentenced for G20 assault, TTC free on NYE, tears at Const. Zivcic memorial, and a Winston Churchill statue