Silvia Paradiso was among area residents who gathered for a barbecue in Toronto to mark the first anniversary of a deadly blast at Sunrise Propane Industrial Gases. the explosion and fire killed two people and forced thousands to flee their homes last year. (CBC)

Some Toronto residents gathered for a barbecue Sunday to mark the first anniversary of a deadly explosion and fire that engulfed a propane facility and neighbouring homes in the city's northwest last year.

"This is to say that we're still here, our homes are here, our families are here and this is just a way of saying hello to everybody, welcome back," said Silvia Paradiso.

A veteran firefighter and an employee died in the massive fire at the Sunrise Propane Industrial Gases depot at 54 Murray Rd. in Downsview on Aug. 10, 2008.

While the mood was festive at the barbecue, many residents are still haunted by the explosion that forced 12,000 people to flee their homes and closed major highways.

"The thunder this morning — it was horrible," Vicky Arciero remembered. "I'm calling home to make sure my daughter is OK and, emotionally, I think we're really scarred."

James Durling and his wife have spent the past year living with relatives, dealing with their insurance company and fighting the city as they try to rebuild their home.

"Alone, frustrated. It's hard to wrap words around it," Durling said.

Cause not known

Area residents still don't know the cause of the blast. The Ontario Fire Marshal's office is still investigating and has yet to issue a report.

While Sunrise Propane had its licences revoked early on, it was only last week that the Ontario Ministry of Labour announced it had laid two charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. If convicted, fines could reach $500,000 per count.

Cleanup efforts extended to 580 properties and cost the city $1.8 million, half of which was chipped in by the province.

The Sunrise Propane owners, who declined interview requests, are still in business. But instead of storing propane themselves, they're acting as brokers paying others to deliver to their customers.

The blast eventually led to a propane safety review by the province. Most of its 40 recommendations made late last year have been implemented. But many area residents believe that's not enough and are pinning their hopes on a $300-million class-action lawsuit against Sunrise.

"There's good court precedent that when you have a massive explosion that shouldn't have happened, somebody is liable," said Harvin Pitch, who is the lead counsel in the pending lawsuit that represents about 10,000 people.

With files from The Canadian Press