Forensic investigation focusing on barbecue: OFM

A forensic fire protection engineer from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is sifting through the debris to determine the cause of a Benita Boulevard semi-detached home that was gutted by fire on Tuesday.

James Bennett, who is conducting the forensic examination of the fire damage, is focusing attention on a barbecue that was in the same location as the origin of the fire.

“We are examining a barbecue that was on the northeast deck ... in the area of origin,” said James Allen, an Ontario Fire Marshal's Office investigator. “We know the origin of the fire was in that northeast deck and the barbecue was in that area.”

As part of the examination, the forensic engineer will X-ray components of the barbecue to help determine whether the barbecue contributed to the fire or if it caused the fire.

Allen downplayed word of an explosion some residents reported hearing prior to the fire.

“What people hear in a fire is things popping and breaking, and a lot of people relate that to an explosion,” he said. “We have no debris field or anything that indicates an explosion.”

One of two propane tanks being examined ruptured in the fire due to what Allen called a 'bleve,' where the propane boiled to the point that it ruptured the tank, which would make a “popping” noise.

“As far as an explosion? No. Blevying propane tanks? Perhaps.”

The investigation will continue for most of the day today, and Allen said he expects to release the scene by tonight.

“Once the engineer finishes his examination, he can give me a preliminary report on the cause of the fire, and I can release a statement,” Allen said.

“There's quite a lot of damage, and unfortunately, two houses are completely destroyed. There was a lot of high heat, and with the wind, there was radiant heat damage to the other houses. There's a lot of devastation and a lot of heartache for people living in these homes.”

Fire officials pegged the initial damage estimate at $1.5 million.

The public can help those who lost everything in the fire. St. Charles College in Sudbury and Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic School in Val Caron are accepting donations of money or new items for the victims.

For more information, phone St. Charles at 705-560-1686 or Bishop Alexander Carter at 705-969-2212. Black Apple Studios on Elgin Street is also accepting donations.