Crown Street House Destroyed in Suspected Gas Explosion
A devastating fire ripped through a home on Crown Street Sunday morning, leaving the structure completely destroyed and raising concerns about a possible gas explosion. The blaze erupted sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., according to neighbours.
Quick Response Amidst the Chaos
“We had units that were already on the road coming back from another call. We could see a large plume of smoke initially right after the call, and had units on scene really quickly,” said Stephen Vincent, platoon chief at the scene.
The inferno’s intensity prompted a rapid escalation of the city’s firefighting response.
“Initially, our first arriving officer called a second alarm and then due to the extent of the fire and the buildings on both sides, we called a third alarm which emptied the city of resources,” Vincent explained. “We had individuals called in on their time off to man trucks so that we can still respond in town.”
While fire crews battled the blaze, emergency services secured the area, closing High Street to traffic and prioritizing the safety of residents.
Power and gas were shut off on the entire block as a precaution, but Vincent assured that both would be restored shortly after 2 p.m.
Cause of the Fire Under Investigation
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but Vincent noted: “We have no source. Due to the nature of the way the call came in, the Ontario Fire Marshal will be notified and likely be attending for an investigation.”
Three individuals required medical attention as a result of the fire, but fortunately, there were no reported firefighter injuries.
“It is unknown if the person who lived in the home was inside at the time XXXII,” added Vincent.
What time did the explosion occur?
## Interview: Local Responds to Devastating Crown Street Explosion
**Anchor:** Good evening and welcome back. Earlier today, a devastating explosion ripped through a home on Crown Street, leaving it in ruins. We’re joined now by [Guest Name], a resident who lives nearby and witnessed the terrifying event firsthand. [Guest Name], thank you for joining us.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
**Anchor:** Can you describe what you saw and heard this afternoon?
**Guest:** It was around [approximate time] when I heard this incredibly loud boom. I immediately went to my window and saw a huge fireball engulfing the house across the street. There was smoke and debris flying everywhere. It was truly horrifying.
**Anchor:** How did the neighborhood react?
**Guest:** Everyone was in shock. People rushed out of their homes to see what happened. There was a lot of confusion at first, but then emergency services arrived quickly and started taking control of the situation.
**Anchor:** Have you heard any updates on the residents of the home?
**Guest:** I haven’t heard anything specific, but I’m praying that everyone is alright. It’s just so hard to believe something like this could happen in our quiet neighborhood.
**Anchor:** Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, but it’s suspected to be a gas leak. What are your thoughts on that possibility?
**Guest:** It’s certainly concerning. We rely on gas for our homes, and to think something like this could happen is frightening. I hope authorities can get to the bottom of what caused this tragedy and ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.
**Anchor:** Thank you for sharing your experience [Guest Name]. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating event.
