rhiannon

I'm totally devastated.
A big section of Queen St West (Between Bathurst and Portland) caught fire last night and fire fighters are still fighting the blaze.
14 or 15 small businesses were destroyed, as well as the homes of people living above the stores.
One building in particular is fairly close to my heart.
It was the first salon I worked In here in Toronto, Split Endz. It was also the first shop I ever got peirced in way back when, and more reccently, friends ond co-workers were living in the space.
They opened a door in their hallway last night to raging flames, and had to flee the building with nothing but the clothing they were wearing.
We've gathered up a big bag of clothing and towels and stuff for them, and are going to take it down to their work, But they are now homeless, and so are many others.
The cause for the fire is still unknown.
Luckily, no one was severly injured, but this is totally devastating to the Queen West community.
These were turn of the century buildings which the city fought so hard to include under the historic building act.
I can only hope that once all the flames are out, they will be able to salvage the building facades. They are really remarkable structures, and part of what makes that area of Queen so special.