The body of a second person missing since an apartment explosion and fire in Woodstock was found in the building's rubble on Thursday morning.

Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday morning. The remains have been sent to London, Ont. for a post-mortem examination.

On Tuesday, the first body was found amid the wreckage. It was removed Wednesday and transported to London, Ont. for forensic identification.

Residents Margaret Gillett, 73, and Bill Watmough, 79, have been unaccounted for since the explosion and fire on Sunday.

The families of both have been made aware of the discovery, police say.

The use of heavy machinery in the area where the body was found was stopped to allow for more careful searching to be done by hand.

Investigators have not determined the cause of the explosion but criminal activity is not believed to be involved.