The remains of a home destroyed in an explosion in Regina in a Nov. 13 handout photo.HO/The Canadian Press
A Regina fire official says a natural gas leak caused a house to explode over the weekend.
Deputy Fire Chief Gord Hewitt says the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation home was vacant when the blast happened Sunday.
Fire investigators say a gas line on the property had been compromised and the explosion was related to natural gas.
An ignition source could not be located due to the extent of the fire damage.
The explosion in the city’s north central neighbourhood also caused damage to an apartment building next door.
Chief Hewitt says two residents in that building have had to find another place to stay.
He says a person in a nearby house also suffered minor injuries when the blast blew out a window in that home.
Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said all government housing buildings are inspected regularly either by the housing authority or third-party security.
“There were inspections recently and there were no issues with the property,” Mr. Makowsky said.
He added that inspectors checked the exterior of the fourplex, but didn’t check inside.
He said the gas was on in the building to prevent pipes from freezing in the winter.
SaskEnergy, the province’s natural gas distribution company, has since cut gas to the property.
The investigation has been turned over to Regina Police Service.
The site remains fenced and the neighbouring apartment complex, which suffered significant structural damage, is to be demolished.