Regina residents across the city were hit with a bang after a major house explosion occurred in the North Central neighbourhood Sunday morning.
At 10:50 a.m., Regina Fire was at the scene of a major house explosion involving a two-story fourplex at the corner of Retallack Street and 6th Avenue.
After five hours, Regina Fire is still on the scene assessing damage and cleanup.
Regina Fire said there was extensive damage to multiple homes and vehicles with only minor injuries reported.
“Right now it is under investigation and we don’t know the cause,” said Regina Fire Deputy chief Dustin McCullough. “We are working to make sure the structure is safe so we can search the building that was involved.”
When asked if anyone was inside the building, McCullough said according to the property owners, the building was vacant and boarded up, though they will learn more through investigation.
“There was indication utilities were still on at this address but we don’t know if gas was for sure,” McCullough said.
The shockwave of the explosion was felt across Regina, with hundreds of residents saying they felt the explosion shaking their own homes.
“I thought my furnace blew up,” said Nelson Mantee, who lives just down the street from the explosion. “I thought my neighbour’s house blew up cause I saw a bit of smoke.”
One woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, said she lives about a block away from the explosion, and she felt it instantly.
“Honestly I’m still shaken up over it,” she said a few hours after the explosion occurred. “We were watching cartoons and our house shook so bad. I’d imagine that’s what an earthquake feels like. I could see and feel the house shake… I thought a car hit my neighbour’s house or something. Then thought it was a bomb or explosion.”
Windows on several homes in the area are blown out following the incident, and Regina Fire said some homes over a block away have broken windows.
The apartment building directly south of the explosion took heavy damage, while the car across the street was torn apart with pieces of wood impaling the metal.
One block over, Mohammed Islam’s patio ceiling completely blew off.
“Sitting in my house talking with my wife and suddenly boom! I see shaking and the window broken and this falls down,” he said pointing to his roof.
Residents in the area have been allowed to return home while several traffic closures remain in place, the smell of natural gas lingers and the investigation continues.