Drake fans continue to visit ‘Iceman’ structure as it’s melted down by Toronto fire

TORONTO — Fans continued to gather around Drake’s now-crumbling tower of ice blocks on Wednesday as Toronto firefighters attempted to melt it down due to individuals taking flames to the frozen structure.

Fire Chief Jim Jessop said crews were called Tuesday evening about “dangerous and unsafe activities” at the downtown Toronto site of the installation, which teases the rapper’s forthcoming album, “Iceman.”

He said crowds of people had shown up with flammable liquids and made uncontrolled open flames to try and melt the blocks of ice. He added the activity posed an “immediate threat to life” and that crews were initiating measures to mitigate the risk to public safety.

Toronto Fire said crews were hosing down the ice structure with warm water in an effort to reduce its size. They also monitored water drainage as part of ongoing operations.

But that hasn’t stopped Drake fans from descending upon the monument.

Yana Kocovski and her friend Bionca Gleeson said they drove more than two hours from Kawartha Lakes, Ont., just to look at the installation.

“‘Views’ has been my favourite album since I was, like, a baby,” said Kocovski.

“We were hoping we were going to see Drake today, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Police fenced off the area around the structure from the public on Wednesday. Meltwater from the ice blocks pooled around surrounding sidewalks before draining into sewers.

Onlooker Veer Chheda said he was disappointed to see fire crews thawing the tower.

“I feel like we’re wasting resources. It’s going to melt in a week,” he said.

“We can’t even go in. Drake put it here for us to go to. I think it’s stupid.”

Student Abadir Wahba said he skipped an exam just to visit the dissipating monolith.

“We are looking at our tax money being wasted,” he said, referring to the fire crews tasked with hosing down the structure.

“But it’s for a good purpose. It’s for Drake, and he’s the GOAT.”

Drake confirmed in an Instagram post that his “Iceman” album will be released on May 15 after Toronto-based content creator Kishka livestreamed himself finding a booklet inside the ice sculpture containing the date.

Kishka was among the people who climbed the structure, some breaking off chunks with pickaxes on Monday and Tuesday.

Fan Aaron Alfonso said he thinks the stunt has been very successful at promoting “Iceman.”

“Look at how much attention it’s getting, especially in the last two days. It’s all over social media, every platform,” he said.

“Streamers from the U.S., they’ve all seen this and they all want to come here. We’re fortunate to have this in the city. I think it’s a blessing.”

— With files from Aaron Sousa

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 22, 2026.

Alex Nino Gheciu and Fatima Raza, The Canadian Press