Explosion shakes local homes
Courtesy Kane Montour
An explosion at a warehouse in Kanesatake rocked the community on Wednesday night, according to Kanesatake Perimeter Security (KPS) and several reports by community members on social media.
According to Surete du Quebec spokesperson Marc Tessier, the fire was accidental.
“It was pretty loud I know all the neighbours across the street, then neighbours down the road they all heard a loud bang,” said Kane Montour, KPS coordinator. “One of the neighbours told me the house shook, he told me, ‘I thought a car hit my house,’ another neighbour thought it was an earthquake.”
Welders were working in the building when something ignited and a propane tank exploded, said Montour.
Two people were injured with major burns on their bodies, and both went to the hospital, said Oka fire chief Sylvain Johnson. Their injuries are not life-threatening according to the SQ.
Emergency services were called to Kanesatake around 6 p.m., said Tessier.
The fire was at 1550 Rang Ste. Philomene. The location is a warehouse located behind MedPharma Dispensary.
“The Surete du Quebec (SQ) has closed the case,” said Tessier.
Hadassah Alencar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
