Police say evidence of drug production found in Kitchener, Ont. house that exploded
Waterloo regional police say evidence “consistent with illicit drug production” has been seized from a Kitchener, Ont. home that exploded Wednesday night. Criminal charges are anticipated.
Police said their drugs and firearms unit took over the investigation on Friday, and a search warrant was conducted at the house that day.
The explosion at a townhouse complex on Elm Ridge Drive sent four people to hospital and temporarily displaced several others in neighboring units that also sustained significant damage.
“I couldn’t have pieced together what it was in that moment,” said Noah Brown, who lives across the hall from the unit where the explosion occurred. “I thought something had hit the roof.”
While he’s since been allowed back into his home, he expects repairs will be needed.
“We’re probably going to have to gut the bathroom and anything in the basement. If it’s not completely smoke damaged, then it’s going to smell like plastic forever,” said Brown.
He said it is concerning that the explosion is now being considered criminal.
“If it’s being investigated criminally, whatever happened in there, they shouldn’t have been doing. But the fact that was being done with two kids in the house, I’m sorry, but that’s not okay,” said Brown.
Four individuals, including two children, were transported to hospital Wednesday evening following a house explosion in Kitchener. (CTV Kitchener)
According to police, two children who were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries have since been released, while a man and woman who were transported to a hospital outside the region with serious injuries remain in hospital.
The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) has been on scene since Thursday. Nancy McDonald-Ducan with the OFM says when their team finds something suspicious, they pass it on to police.
“It’s their [police’s] role to determine if, whether or not, there’s more that needs to be looked into and certainly their role to deem it criminal,” McDonald-Ducan said.
The Ontario Fire Marshall said it could take a few weeks before the investigation wraps up.
“I don’t know if they have even found the area of origin yet. I do know currently they’re working on the basement area,” said McDonald-Ducan.
Kitchener Fire Chief Robert Gilmore said the cost of the damage is estimated in excess of $1 million.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
Police did not say exactly what evidence illicit drug production was found at the home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.