4 buildings damaged after explosions in Leduc over weekend
Posted September 18, 2023 4:30 pm.
Last Updated September 19, 2023 8:27 am.
Scary moments for residents in Leduc over the weekend as explosions rang out around 1 a.m., Sunday, as several structures went up in flames.
“That house blew up and it caused our house to catch on fire,” explained Gavin Dhawiwal, Resident.
The fire happened in the area of 50 Street and 48 Avenue. Four buildings suffered substantial damage including one commercial property that was under construction, a single-family home, and a duplex. One of those was where Dhaliwal and his family live.
Debris from explosion in Leduc. (Photo Credit: Adrienne South, CityNews)
“The house is destroyed we are basically homeless,” he explained.
Fire officials say no one was injured in the blaze and said wind was a factor in how quickly the fire spread. Residents were initially put up in hotels immediately following the fire.
On Monday fire investigators remained on-scene, the RCMP also investigating the cause of the fire with house damaged now fenced off.
Over the weekend CityNews spoke with Deputy Chief of Fire Operations Scott MacDonald, who said everyone got out safely but says it was a pretty large fire.
“I’ve only been in Leduc for eight weeks, I just started, I was in Edmonton for a number of years, so I’ve seen a lot of large fires in that time frame, and this would be a fairly large fire,” said MacDonald.
MacDonald says the fire also took out a power pole in the back alley, knocking out power to many area residents. With the pole fully burnt and parts of it chopped down. A new pole is now up and power was restored Monday morning.
Debris from explosion in Leduc. (Photo Credit: Adrienne South, CityNews)
A daycare owner nearby says his facility suffered some damage, but was able to re-open Monday.
Fire crews also responded to a dumpster fire in the area which they believe is the result of embers spreading, which they say is also part of their investigation.
There’s no word yet on the cost of damage.
