WATCH ABOVE: While they can now confirm the blast was gas-related, nvestigators still don’t know what kind of gas caused the deadly explosion. Catherine McDonald has more.
TORONTO — A day after a house on their street blew up, neighbours still can’t quite believe what happened.
“We heard this boom, like we thought, ‘what the heck was that?’ I was so scared,” said neighbour Chris Kiriakou.
“We thought it was a tornado,” said another.
The explosion on Brimley Road Monday afternoon could be felt for blocks.
“My house shook,” said Eddie Cruz, who lives more than a kilometre away. “I heard a loud noise and I thought it was a big truck.”
When emergency responders got close enough to survey the scene, they found the lone occupant of the home, Paul Zigomanis deceased. Investigators say his body was found in the rear of the house.
READ MORE: Fatal Toronto home explosion gas related says Ontario Fire Marshal
The 57-year-old was wanted on a warrant, after he failing to show up for court last Friday on charges of threatening death and assault causing bodily harm.
Officials still can’t say if the explosion is suspicious or not.
“Our concern obviously, it’s been a fatality,” said Wayne Romaine from the office of the Fire Marshal. “We’re somewhat open-minded to any information that’s coming our way.”
Investigators spent Tuesday sifting through the wreckage. They’ve been using aerial views of the debris in an effort to figure out what kind of gas caused the explosion.
“There are so many competent ignition systems within a residence that could have ignited this volatile ignited vapour,” said Romaine.
The house next door was so badly damaged by the blast it will need to be demolished. Dozens of homes nearby will also need some repairs for broken windows, damaged siding and even structural work.
A friend of the family living next door to the flattened home told Global News four people were home at the time of the explosion.
Some of the people forced from those damaged homes were allowed back to retrieve personal belongings Tuesday.
With files from Catherine McDonald
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