Toronto fire officials are investigating a giant explosion and blaze that destroyed a bungalow in the city’s west end.
Just before 10 p.m. Wednesday night, an explosion rocked a home on Amesbury Dr., in the Keele St. and Lawrence Ave. W. area.
Six people were inside at the time and fire officials say it’s remarkable that no one was killed.
A couple, their 14-month-old baby girl and a cousin, who have been renting the house since September, managed to escape along with two relatives who were visiting.
Police say three men who were in the basement suffered serious burns.
Fire officials said the preliminary information they have is that one of the homeowners was doing maintenance to the furnace and there was an explosion.
The fire marshal is also probing reports that the blast may have been sparked by a cigarette.
But sources tell Global News there is some doubt that the explosion was caused by natural gas. Investigators are beginning to dig thru the debris, in an effort pinpoint the true source of the blast.
The house, which was sold this summer for $375,000, was completely demolished.
A 28-year-old man remains in critical condition with burns to 60 percent of his body. Two other men in their teens remain in burn unit at Sunnybrook Hospital.
Amazingly, no other homes sustained serious damage.
Amateur video of the fire can be seen on Youtube.
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