April 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nJessop had warned that open flames and flammable liquids in an uncontrolled environment cause an \u201cimmediate threat to life\u201d and that crews would be \u201cinitiating measures\u201d to mitigate the risk to public safety.<\/p>\n
At one point Tuesday, a fan used a sledgehammer on the block, while others spray-painted messages urging people to melt it faster.<\/p>\n
Police briefly pushed crowds back as the situation escalated, allowing people to return once additional officers arrived.<\/p>\n
Who is responsible for the cleanup? <\/p>\n
In an email to CTV News Toronto, officials say firefighters were first called at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, to begin efforts of dismantling the structure. <\/p>\n
Cleanup efforts have now surpassed a total of 16 hours.<\/p>\n
The city notes that because the parking lot is situated on private property, \u201cthe owner did not need a City of Toronto permit to install the ice blocks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fire safety complaints received were of individuals starting fires using open flames and flammable liquids, with reports noting several climbing on and around the slippery ice structure with pickaxes,\u201d a spokesperson wrote in an email. <\/p>\n
\u201cResponse to fire safety risks form part of Toronto Fire Services\u2019 approved service levels, which are funded through the City\u2019s annual operating budget.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emergency crews left the scene shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday and have since passed the remainder of the cleanup back to Drake\u2019s \u201cprivate security team.\u201d<\/p>\n
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ICEMAN Chow acknowledges excitement<\/p>\n
Chow acknowledges that while the decision to melt the structure is justified, she can understand why many Torontonians flocked to the display in excitement. <\/p>\n
At the same time, she noted that Drake is a huge supporter of the city and suggests that she too is excited for the album release. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrake is a big supporter of our city, and there\u2019s so much excitement across our city towards this new Drake album, The Iceman,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Drake is a big supporter of our city\u2019: Chow on Drake\u2019s ice sculpture to promote \u2018Iceman\u2019 Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow weighs in as firefighters begin to melt Drake\u2019s \u2018Iceman\u2019 sculpture downtown and says she\u2019s \u2018excited\u2019 for the album\u2019s release. <\/p>\n
When will the album be released? <\/p>\n
The block of ice, which only took two days for fans to chip away at, is tied to Drake\u2019s ninth studio album which will be released May 15. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey got what they\u2019re looking for. We now know the date, it\u2019s exciting,\u201d Chow said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a great summer, May 15.\u201d<\/p>\n
Security had previously said that fans were allowed to chip the ice but not climb \u2014 a rule that was widely ignored as excitement grew.<\/p>\n
Chow however, said she understands the draw. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can understand why fans are excited. They wanted to go and find out that date,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She also called the stunt \u201ccreative,\u201d adding \u201cthat\u2019s what arts and culture is all about,\u201d even as the city moved to shut it down.<\/p>\n
With files from the Canadian Press<\/p>\n
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Police gather before removing fans from the area around an ice sculpture that has been linked to a promotional stunt by the rapper Drake, in Toronto on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Chris Young Police gather before removing fans from the area around an ice sculpture that has been linked to a promotional stunt by the rapper Drake, in Toronto on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Chris Young