'There's nothing standing': 1 dead after Scarborough home explosion

One man has died and a woman suffered minor injuries after an explosion levelled a home near Brimley Road and Steeles Avenue in Scarborough on Monday afternoon.

The incident occurred at 3356 Brimley Rd., just north of Eagledance Drive shortly before 4:30 p.m.

One man, who was a resident of the home, was found without vital signs at the scene and has been pronounced dead, Toronto Paramedic Services say.

Police have identified the victim as 57-year-old Paul Zigomanis.

One woman was also treated for an injury to her hand at the scene.

The home was completely destroyed and at least 12 others have been damaged, Toronto Fire Services say.

Photographs and videos from the scene show that nothing remains of the two-storey house. Debris has been scattered across the area, covering trees and neighbouring homes.

One firefighter at the scene told CP24  that it resembled a "war zone."

"It's completely demolished," Toronto Fire Services Division Commander Len Stadler said. "There's nothing standing."

Toronto police Insp. David Vickers said the blast had caused "all kinds of damage" to surrounding properties.

Toronto Fire Services say that there is a natural gas leak in the area and 17 nearby homes have been evacuated.

Crews are working to shut off the leak.

Toronto police says that Enbridge Gas is at the scene.

Rescue workers have been forced to delay their search of the wreckage until the gas leak has stopped.

Once the issue has been resolved, firefighters will be able to comb the debris and look for others who many have been injured in the explosion.

"There is just a hole in the ground," Toronto fire Capt. Adrian Ratushniak told The Canadian Press.

"But we'll be here all night until we have search every inch of this place," he added.

No one has been reported missing, police say.

The cause of the explosion has yet to be determined.

An investigator from the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal is expected to travel from Sudbury to inspect the scene.

Toronto Transit Commission buses are being used to shelter displaced residents.

"We're securing the homes and doing the best we can to help with the residents here," Vickers said.

Anyone with information about the explosion is being asked to contact the 42 Division of the Toronto police at 416-808-4202.