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The biggest blast in the capital’s history happens Sunday at 7 a.m., when a famed U.S. demolition team blows up the Sir John Carling Building into 40,000 tonnes of rubble.

The obsolete federal office tower overlooking Dow’s Lake is to take a spectacular plunge from the city’s skyline.

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Eric “master blaster” Kelly of Advanced Explosives Demolition Inc. of Idaho will push a button detonating about 400 kilograms of dynamite in an intricate sequence of small, controlled explosions within the 11-storey structure.

People are welcome to watch — but from no closer than 300 metres. Safety is paramount, says Marc Verticchio, site supervisor for the main contractor, the AIM Environmental Group of Stoney Creek, Ont.

City and federal police, private security guards and volunteers will staff road closures and barricades.

“The implosion will not happen if someone ventures into the prohibited zone,” warns Verticchio.

Nearby residents are advised to stay indoors. Warning sirens will wail. The rest of the city shouldn’t hear or feel a thing.

— Click on this graphic for a larger view

In the time it takes to read this paragraph, 930 Carling Ave. should shudder and collapse into smithereens, imploding into its own footprint. By next summer, the pulverized concrete is to be covered with clay, topsoil, sod and trees. Total cost to Public Works for the “deconstruction” is $4.8 million.