A towering ice sculpture tied to rapper Drake’s upcoming album rollout was partially dismantled Wednesday after fire officials intervened over safety concerns.
Toronto Fire Services crews used hoses and warm water to shrink the massive installation. The sculpture had been erected in a downtown parking lot as part of a promotional campaign for Drake’s anticipated album, Iceman.
The structure, estimated at roughly 25 feet tall, drew crowds eager to uncover a hidden release date embedded within the ice.
Officials said the gathering quickly became hazardous.
“Large numbers of individuals have gathered to attempt to melt the ice using flammable liquids and open flames,” Fire Chief Jim Jessop said in a statement. “This results in an immediate threat to life.”
Police and firefighters responded Tuesday evening after reports of dangerous activity around the sculpture.
Safety concerns escalate
Authorities said some people climbed the structure while others used tools to chip away at it. Fires were also set on top of the ice, raising concerns about falling debris and uncontrolled flames.
Fire officials said they acted under provincial safety laws to reduce the risks.
“As Toronto’s Fire Chief, my top priority is keeping Torontonians safe,” Jessop said.
By early Wednesday, aerial trucks were seen pouring steady streams of water over the sculpture. Nearby streets were partially blocked as crews worked and police restricted access to onlookers.
Water pooled along the roadway as the ice began to break down.
The spectacle drew widespread attention on social media. Videos showed fans using unconventional methods to speed up the melting process.
Viral stunt meets public risk
Drake unveiled the installation earlier this week, teasing that the album’s release date would be revealed once the ice melted.
The stunt quickly turned into a public event, attracting large crowds and escalating behavior. Some participants used hammers, pickaxes, and even flames in attempts to access the contents.
Despite the chaos, no injuries were immediately reported.
A livestream later revealed the album’s release date after a participant accessed items inside the sculpture.
Still, officials said the situation underscored the risks of unregulated crowd activity.
Fire crews continued to reduce the structure’s size Wednesday, aiming to eliminate remaining hazards.