Planned explosion at Downsview Park raises concerns about communication after the blast spooked residents

A planned explosion at Downsview Park in Toronto on Thursday night startled residents, who were not effectively warned about the blast. The controlled explosion was for a video shoot, and park management had advised residents through social media posts to expect loud noises and flashes of light throughout the week. However, many residents, including Rosanna Laboni, were not aware of the warning and were frightened by the blast. Laboni's home shook, and she initially thought it could be a politically motivated attack due to current international tensions. Downsview Park apologized for the distress caused, acknowledging that their warnings did not reach everyone affected. The park is reviewing its notification approach to better inform nearby residents of similar activities in the future. The blast brought back traumatic memories for some residents who lived through a 2008 propane explosion in the area that killed an employee and forced 12,000 residents to evacuate their homes.