Queen West was shut down yesterday as 65 firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze in four residential apartments above shops near Manning Avenue. No one was injured and a puppy was saved. Ground floor retailers Australian Boot Company, Deluxe Boutique, Sydney's, and the Flight Centre all have significant water damage.

The University of Toronto has announced plans to shut down their downtown campus and facilities during the G20 meetings, citing their proximity to the official designated protest zone. To ensure the safety of summer faculty, staff and students, exams will be rescheduled and a number of summer session students will be relocated temporarily from their residences.

A TTC bus driver escaped injury late last night when some jackass thought it would be fun to shoot fireworks at the driver as he opened the front doors to let passengers off in the Finch and Driftwood area. Police are reviewing security camera footage in hope that the young male suspect can be identified.

Not to be putting a damper on post-Victoria Day long weekend joy... but the last few days have been busy for police and homicide detectives:

A steel barrel full of concrete was pulled from Lake Ontario, and contained a body that may be linked to organized crime in Montreal.

An Amtrak train travelling from New York to Toronto was twice unlucky when within just 9 hours it struck and killed a woman near Buffalo, and then after departing Union station, struck and killed a man here in Toronto.

Someone was the victim of a gruesome killing up in cottage country, and the murderer appears to have intentionally sought attention by leaving human remains of the victim to be found in multiple locations (2-hour's drive apart).

A Mississauga man is dead after being violently beaten by a group of fellow campers on a campground near Tweed.

And on a much more positive note, here's what blogTO was up to this weekend and you should catch up on:

• Amanda profiled Dundas West and Bellwoods newest hybrid smoke shop/cafe Happy Daze.
• Lauren and Matthew Harris shared patio guides for King East and West Queen West.
• Matthew also wrote about the YWCA's Elm Centre, which will provide housing for the most vulnerable Toronto residents.
• Gadjo reviewed Mad Italian Gelato Bar, whose 42 flavours and secret recipe put it in the best gelato in the city territory.
• Guest contributor Aaron Bernstein checked out the Toronto International Circus Festival at Harbourfront.
• Elizabeth was barely able to hold back her gag reflexes while watching the first ever (and quite disgusting) World Poutine Eating Championship down at BMO Field.
• Tim spoke to local flaneur Shawn Micallef, about his new book and all things Toronto.
• And Agatha took us back in time, to reveal the history of Victoria Day in Toronto.

Photo: "Queen & Manning, May 24" by LĂş_, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.