Within hours of news that a fire tragically dismantled parts of Queen St. West, theories were flung all over the Internet about the cause. Some conspiracies were eerily plausible others – especially the one involving an arsonist torching Suspect Video to avoid late fees – are clearly zany. Here’s a sampling of pure speculation:
Theory
A drug lab blew up. And, in this case, one assumes the drug in the lab is crystal meth.
Origins
Not quite sure where this came from or how this spread so fast. The meth lab explosion scenario did happen on a recent episode of Grey’s Anatomy though.
Really?
This theory was all but disavowed by the Toronto police (“We have no information or history to support rumours that it was a drug lab,” Supt. Ruth White told the Toronto Star), but still roams various comment boards. The fact that the police took the time to address lends credibility, but the credibility here is still only on loan. Bathurst and Queen W., as one columnist so bluntly points out, is more of a crack neighbourhood anyway. Also, wouldn’t there need to victims? Such as, whoever was running the alleged lab?
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Theory
Greedy developers set fire to the block to fulfill their greedy development plans. Also known as an urban clear-cut.
Origins
Queen St. W. is Toronto’s only commercial heritage district, and thus can’t be redeveloped very easily. A suspicious fire would pave the way for developers to…pave the way for developments.
Really?
For obvious reasons, naming names can get libelous. But it’s worth noting some of the names that have been mentioned – more than a few times – don’t make much sense. Being on the same block as or within blocks of the damage doesn’t seem quite close enough to see any gain from a fire. This is not to say, though, that any new Queen West development between Bathurst and Portland shouldn’t be investigated if arson is named as a cause.
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Theory
The old-stock buildings on the block were a series of firetraps, lined up one after the other. Variations on this theory include a garbage bin fire.
Origins
Admittedly, the buildings were visibly aged. And there were inevitably garbage bins, faulty electrical connections and other flame-inciting materials in the area.
Really?
Seems like a strong contender, but can fires start themselves? Old-looking buildings don’t translate to a six-alarm blaze in the middle of the night very often. (The City of Toronto active incidents page puts it at 5:07 in the morning.) Also, it was so cold and windy that day that it would be difficult for a fire to start from outside.
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Theory
Local government deliberately set the fire. This is a theory that probably can’t be found online, but was relayed to me by a taxi driver.
Origins
According to the taxi driver, there are political elements that want to clean up the area of its drug issues and build a denser commercial and residential zone. He cited the expedient approval of the development at Queen and Portland as evidence.
Really?
This theory mirrors the greedy developers argument, as do the holes in it. Mainly: Why Queen W.? There seems thousands of other streets that could be razed in favour of so-called better city planning. So, again, why this particular stretch? That’s the inescapable question.
Photos by Scott Edward Hill
