A Wednesday night public meeting was billed as a chance for residents to ask questions about the house explosion that rocked a Kitchener neighbourhood last month.
But by the end of the meeting, many neighbours of the exploded Activa Avenue home said they’re still hoping for more answers.
At the heart of the matter was the investigation into the explosion, now led by the Ontario Fire Marshal.
Kitchener Fire Department officials say the blast was gaseous in nature, but an exact cause remains undetermined – and may remain so for months.
“It’s concerning, the not knowing,” said one resident.
“You always think ‘Is it something that could be wrong in my house as well?’”
On Jan. 27, a house at the corner of Activa Avenue and Isaiah Drive exploded, causing a fireball that lit up the night sky.
A family of four was home at the time. All four were taken to hospital – three released quickly while the family’s father, Minh Nguyen, underwent surgery in Hamilton for a broken pelvis.
The Nguyens say they plan to rebuild their home.
More than 100 people showed up Wednesday at W.T. Townshend Public School to hear the latest on the investigation from fire officials.
Many of them had concerns about what they should do to ensure their homes don’t meet the same fate.
“If you have concern with your appliances … call (Kitchener Utilities),” said Kitchener fire chief Tim Beckett.
“They’ll come out and check the appliances to make sure there’s no leaks.”
Fire officials said there was nothing wrong with the appliances in the Nguyens’ house. No evidence was found of national gas pockets.
The key to what caused the explosion may be found in the results of forensic testing on material collected from the house, but it could take months before those results are in.
