Emergency crews were called to a home in Kitchener Saturday night after receiving reports of an explosion.
“We heard some really loud explosions that kind of startled me,” said neighbour Jeremy Rowe. “I didn’t really know what it was.”
When crews arrived at 15 Obermeyer Drive they found the side deck of the duplex on fire.
Rowe lives on the other side of the duplex. “[I was] pretty scared because I didn’t really know what was going to happen. I didn’t know how bad the fire was.”
Police say the home owner was barbecuing on the deck. A hose on the propane tank came loose and caught fire, causing an explosion. A second tank also exploded.
The fire spread to a bamboo screen and then to the roof of the home.
“The flames were pretty big,” said Rowe.
Firefighters acted quickly, cutting holes in the roof to douse the flames.
Most of the damage was to the exterior of the home.
“Probably the roof structure is going to need to be replaced,” said Platoon Chief Kevin Karley of the Kitchener Fire Department. “Certainly the deck and some of the contents of the kitchen area.”
Damage is estimated at almost $200,000.
Three people were taken to hospital. One had minor burns and the other two were treated for smoke inhalation.
