UPDATE: Arson unit takes over investigation into Orléans gas explosion, circumstances ‘deemed criminal’

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Arson unit has taken over the investigation into a gas explosion in the Orléans area earlier this month.

 

Ottawa Fire Services and (OFS) and the OPS responded to an explosion caused by a gas leak in the area of Tenth Line Road and Shallow Pond Place on the morning of Monday, Feb.13. 

 

The blast levelled four homes in a construction site and seriously damaged several others. Twelve people, including children, were injured. 

 

The OPS said in a release that as of Feb.18, the arson unit has taken over the investigation as the incident has been “deemed criminal.”

 

Mike Potvin used to be an investigator with the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal and told Wake Up With Rob Snow on Feb. 23 that there isn't confirmation that this was intentionally done by someone, but a thorough investigation will determine the case. 

 

“They are going to looking at the gas supply system into that development and they are going to determine what other gases that were involved on those properties,” he said. “They have to identify what the fuel load is, and that might take some time.”

 

Potvin said investigators will be speaking to City of Ottawa officials, witnesses, developers and contractors, but there is no timeline as of yet. 

 

“It is going to very systematic going forward to make sure they get every detail,” he added. “At the end of the day, they have to put the puzzle together to determine what the gas was and what the potential ignition source is that ignited those vapours.”