Sunrise Propane Explosion
August 10, 2008 Toronto
- Initial explosion at Sunrise propane transfer station at about 08 UTC (4am LT).
- Explosion awoke ten of thousands of people.
- Spectacular fire followed, with smaller explosions.
- "Thousands" evacuated within 1.6 km (CBC). 401 Hwy Closed
- Major concern about smoke plume extending eastward
- Nearby homes both damaged by the explosion and contaminated by asbestos fall-out.
- Largest explosion estimated to be equivalent to 10-20T of TNT.
Shockwave seen on amateur video
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Parts of plume seen to move in different directions.
VAD winds show wind directional shear. From west at the surface and SSW at 2km.
3 Doppler scans at 0800 UTC (0.5,1.5,3.5 degree elevation)
500 meters AGL
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1000 meters AGL
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1900 meters AGL
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The white rings on the above images are centered on Sunrise, with a 5 km spacing. The red ring is centered on the King City radar, 27 km to the northwest. Based on the initial radar scans, debris seems to have appeared in a column at least 2 km high.
3 Doppler scans at 0830 UTC (0.5,1.5,3.5 degree elevation)
500 meters AGL
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1000 meters AGL
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1900 meters AGL
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