Engineers in Kingston, Ont. concerned fire-damaged crane could collapse

A fire continues to smoulder at a Kingston, Ont. apartment building as engineers at the site attempt to determine whether a crane that was heavily damaged in the blaze will collapse.

Structural engineers are expected to inspect the crane Wednesday, to determine whether it will fall on its own, and if it does, in which direction.

The crane was engulfed in flames Tuesday afternoon, prompting a dramatic helicopter rescue of a worker who was trapped on it at the time, after fire broke out at a downtown student housing complex construction site.

Kingston Mayor Mark Gerretsen said the heat from the fire caused the metal on the crane to bend.

Thats whats limiting the fire departments capabilities from getting any closer to the source of the fire -- because of that threat of the crane falling and injuring firefighters, he told CTVs Canada AM on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, an evacuation order for the homes surrounding the five-storey building remains in place.

About 150 area residents were displaced Tuesday, after emergency workers shut off electricity and gas in the area.

Utility crews are now tasked with visiting each home in the area to turn certain appliances back on, such as hot water tanks and furnaces.

Its a slow process, but people started to move back throughout the night, Gerretsen said, noting that power has been restored to some areas.

He said the power in the area immediately surrounding the building is expected to be out for a few days.

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Engineers in Kingston, Ont. concerned fire-damaged crane could collapse