Wellesley St. E. tenants pessimistic about City’s efforts

It is a hectic scene at the Wellesley Community Centre, where many victims of Friday’s fire at 200 Wellesley St. E. are being given supplies like food, clothing, and accommodations by the City of Toronto.
                  Some tenants, however, are unhappy with the City's reaction.

“It seemed like the firefighters didn’t even care. It was like they were just spilling water all over the place,” says Mahamed Gedi, 30, who lives on the 28^th floor. “For me, it’s amazing that it took so long to get rid of a fire in one small part of the apartment.”

When Gedi first heard the fire alarm, he ignored it. "False alarms happen here all the time, I thought it was just a bunch of kids who thought it would be funny to pull the fire alarm.”

After he heard the commotion of emergency vehicles outside, he rushed downstairs to join a crowd in front of the building watching firefighters fight the blaze.

“The first day was so disorganized. We didn’t know who was in charge- the fire marshal, management, or police. All we could do was watch.”

For three days, he says, residents have stayed at shelters or a part of the University of Toronto.

                  The estimated number of tenants that were in the building at the time of the fire is said to be 1200, but the number of tenants affected by the fire is estimated to be around 1700.

                  Tenants are not yet allowed into the building, which is frustrating for people like Solanon Mahamed, a 36-year-old tenant who was leaving for the United States next week.

                  “This really changed my perspective,” says Mahamed, a 36-year-old resident. “I thought they were better equipped. They didn’t even have cranes to go up into the buildings and stop the fire. It took almost five or six hours and I think they made it more complicated.”

                  Mahamed is choosing to sleep with a friend instead of deal with the shelters.

                  “I don’t have my wallet, I don’t have anything. I can’t get into the apartment and all I can do is wait.”

                  Unimpressed by the reaction of firefights and City of Toronto workers, Mahamed says “I believe they neglected us.”

                  Any donations for victims are currently being accepted at the Wellesley Community Centre at 495 Sherbourne St., the University of Toronto exam building at 255 McCaul St., and the 519 Church St. Community Centre.