Investigators ask public for video of fatal St. Catharines explosion, fire

Niagara police are asking anyone who has video of the fatal explosion and fire in St. Catharines last week to send it to the force.

Officers, along with Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal, the St. Catharines Fire Service, Ministry of Labour, and Office of the Coroner are currently investigating the cause of the blaze at a hazardous waste facility on Jan. 12.

In a video update Friday, Niagara Regional Police Inspector Rob Laplante confirmed that a St. Catharines man in his 30s was the lone worker inside Ssonix Products 2010 Inc. where the fire broke out shortly after 6:30 a.m.

St. Catharines Fire Services Chief Dave Upper has said the man was taken to hospital with serious burns before he died.

Police are not releasing his identity as next of kin are still being notified.

READ MORE: Man dies after explosion, fire at St. Catharines waste facility: police

Upper has said he expects the investigation will take seven to 10 days and they are asking the public and media to stay away from the scene.

Crews said the fire was extinguished Thursday evening and that people living in a neighbourhood north of the facility evacuated earlier in the day as black smoke billowed towards the area.

Upper has said the air quality was clean and safe for residents and workers in the area after it was tested by provincial officials throughout that day.

Anyone with information or video footage of the fire is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009964.

READ MORE: Man injured after St. Catharines explosion, fire at industrial facility