Marble slab falls off skyscraper in Toronto
<noinclude>
{{date|May 17, 2007}}
[[Image:First Canadian Place.JPG|240px|thumb|First Canadian Place in Toronto, Ontario.]]
On Wednesday, it was raining rocks in [[w:Toronto|Toronto]]. A 115 Kilogram marble panel fell 51 stories from the side of [[w:First Canadian Place|First Canadian Place]], 100 King Street West, which is the heart of Toronto's Business district. The panel was one of many that were identified as a risk during an inspection.

The rock fell onto a third story roof, where its fall was broken.

There were no reports of injuries, but the event snarled traffic in Toronto, as many major roads were closed. It also backed up street car traffic along King Street. King St. W. from York St. E. to Bay St. is expected to be closed for several days. Traffic continues normally now along all other previously closed streets.

As investigations continue, an expert has commented that there is no need for alarm. David Bowick, a professor of architecture at the [[w:University of Toronto|University of Toronto]], says such incidents are rare, given the improvements to architectural technology over the years. Several experts, Bowick included, have commented that the incident was probably caused by a major storm which occurred Tuesday night.

Bowick added that natural materials like marble have inherent flaws which are susceptible to such destruction.

According to the official website, First Canadian Place, constructed in 1975, is 2.8 million square ft., has 72 stories, and is still today [[Canada|Canada's]] tallest office building (tallest skyscraper) measuring 298 metres in height. It has 3-levels of over 120 offices, banks, restaurants, and stores. 

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.thestar.com/News/article/214892
|title=King St. remains closed
|author=Robyn Doolittle
|pub=Toronto Star
|date=May 17, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2007/05/16/marble-financial-district.html
|title=Some Toronto streets reopened after slab falls from skyscraper
|author=
|pub=CBC News
|date=May 17, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/05/16/4185367-cp.html
|title=Expert says aging skyline not crumbling
|author=Canadian Press
|pub=Canadian Online Explorer
|date=May 16, 2007}}

==External link==
*[http://www.brookfieldproperties.com/my-building/detail.cfm?RID=251&BID=247 First Canadian Place]
{{original reporting|right}}

{{Publish}}
{{archive}}
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Wackynews]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:Toronto, Ontario]]
[[Category:Ontario]]
[[Category:Architecture]]
</noinclude>
First Canadian Place in Toronto, Ontario.
On Wednesday, it was raining rocks in Toronto. A 115 Kilogram marble panel fell 51 stories from the side of First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, which is the heart of Toronto's Business district. The panel was one of many that were identified as a risk during an inspection.

The rock fell onto a third story roof, where its fall was broken.

There were no reports of injuries, but the event snarled traffic in Toronto, as many major roads were closed. It also backed up street car traffic along King Street. King St. W. from York St. E. to Bay St. is expected to be closed for several days. Traffic continues normally now along all other previously closed streets.

As investigations continue, an expert has commented that there is no need for alarm. David Bowick, a professor of architecture at the University of Toronto, says such incidents are rare, given the improvements to architectural technology over the years. Several experts, Bowick included, have commented that the incident was probably caused by a major storm which occurred Tuesday night.

Bowick added that natural materials like marble have inherent flaws which are susceptible to such destruction.

According to the official website, First Canadian Place, constructed in 1975, is 2.8 million square ft., has 72 stories, and is still today Canada's tallest office building (tallest skyscraper) measuring 298 metres in height. It has 3-levels of over 120 offices, banks, restaurants, and stores.
Disasters and accidents Wackynews North America Canada Toronto, Ontario Ontario Architecture