Evacuated residents of a 1.6-kilometre swath of northwest Toronto will be able to return to their houses Sunday night, following a series of early morning explosions that sparked a fire at a propane facility.

Thousands of people who are waiting to enter the area surrounded by Sheppard Avenue and Highway 401, and Dufferin and Keele Streets, received word they would be allowed to return home at about 8 p.m. Sunday.

They have been out of their homes since early this morning following the massive explosions at Sunrise Propane, near Wilson Avenue and Keele Street.

Many returning residents reported being barred from entering the neighbourhood, causing confusion at the numerous barricades blocking people from entering the area.

Police now say it will take a few hours to organize the escorts that will lead residents back to their homes.

"The city doesn't seem to have their act together," says Victor, a local resident who called CP24 after trying to get back into his neighbourhood. "They seem like they're rethinking letting people back home."

Those whose homes were damaged by the blast will be able to spend the night in an emergency shelter being operated by the city, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army at York University.

Police say they will continue patrolling the area throughout the night on the heels of reports of looting following the evacuation.

Highway 401 is being reopened after being closed between the DVP and Highway 400 for much of the day. Full service has been restored on the TTC, which had been closed at the Downsview, Wilson and Yorkdale subway stops.

Officials say that the power is has been restored to the area with the exception of Garret, Plews, Spalding, Catherine and Regent Streets. They say it could take days for gas service to be restored in all homes.

Some businesses in the area have already decided to remain closed on Monday. Bombardier says its deHavilland facility located in the former evacuation zone will not open, and Go Transit says the same for its Yorkdale station.

Firefighter found dead

The explosion occurred at about 4 a.m. and triggered a seven-alarm blaze, which was battled by almost 200 firefighters for much of the day.

Division commander Bob O'Hallarn says the threat of further explosions was significantly reduced thanks to firefighters' dogged efforts to reduce the pressure inside two burning tankers that were full of propane.

There were fears the 220,000-litre tankers would explode if they were not kept cool.

One firefighter, identified as district chief Bob Leek, perished during the effort.

Toronto Fire division chief David Sheen says Leek had 25 years of experience. Sheen says it will take a few days to determine the cause of death. He was found with no vital signs on Regent Road near the site of the blasts and rushed to hospital.

Police say 18 people were hospitalized with minor injuries and one person is still unaccounted for. The missing man is an employee of Sunrise Propane named Parminda Saini.

Another employee was in the facility at the time of the explosion. He has been treated in hospital and released, police say.

Police don't know what caused the blasts, which engulfed the facility in flames and blew out windows in homes in the surrounding blocks.

A lawyer from Sunrise Propane made a brief statement to the media Sunday night, expressing condolences to Toronto firefighters for their loss and to everyone else who was affected by the blast. He did not take any questions.

The sound of the blast could be heard up to seven kilometers away.

Police say air quality readings indicate that the air in the area is not toxic.