London Police Service is investigating after a vehicle slammed into a house, causing a major explosion.
Crews were called to a home on Woodman Ave. in the city’s east end just before 11 p.m. Wednesday.
The explosion happened about 15 minutes after first responders arrived on scene to investigate the collision.
Police believe the vehicle hit a gas line sparking the blast.
Roughly 50 firefighters battled the massive fire which spread to several neighbouring homes.
Officers say roughly eight to 10 homes were severely damaged and about 100 homes within a one-block radius of the explosion were evacuated.
At this time, the following roads are closed due to the ongoing fire investigation in old east London – Quebec St, Woodman Ave, Charlotte St, all between Lorne Ave and Dundas St – Dundas between Ontario and Charlotte – Queens Ave and Dufferin Ave between Ontario and Quebec.
— LPS_Operations (@LPS_Operations) August 15, 2019
Ted Balayewich lives in the neighbourhood and quickly jumped into action when he heard the blast.
“We felt it. We thought it was a bomb going off so I ran out there and saw the house was fire. I ran through the alleyway to see if anyone needed any help. The fire was already starting to get too hot from there. You could hear cans going off so we just got everyone out of there,” said Balayewich. “The guy across from me, his windows got blown out just from the impact of the blast itself.”
Residents who were displaced or evacuated were initially sent to a nearby community centre. The city of London says all of those residents have now been put up in hotels or found alternate arrangements.
Felt my apartment building downtown shake after and explosion, there is a crap load of sirens decending on OEV and I can see a fire happening. What the hell just happened. #ldnont pic.twitter.com/LUHeiOyEAT
— Jamieson Roberts (@JamiesonRoberts) August 15, 2019
Two police officers were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Four firefighters were also transported to hospital. Three have since been released while one remains in serious but stable condition.
Twenty-three-year-old Daniella Leis, of Kitchener, has been charged with four counts of impaired operation causing bodily harm and impaired operation exceed blood alcohol concentration.
She is scheduled to appear in court on September 4.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate.
