Police take over investigation into Hamilton Mountain house explosion

Hamilton police are taking over an investigation into a Friday evening explosion that levelled a west Mountain home, according to the Office of the Fire Marshal.

A spokesperson with the Ministry of the Solicitor General told The Spectator on Monday that the Hamilton Police Service is now in charge of the investigation and all questions should be directed to them.

The Spectator has reached out to police with questions and is waiting to hear back.

The Office of the Fire Marshal had initially assigned investigators, a forensic engineer and an emergency preparedness unit specialist to probe the cause of the explosion.

Emergency responders received multiple" calls for reports of an explosion in the area of Bonaventure Drive and Clifton Downs Road around 10:30 p.m. Friday night, Hamilton Fire Chief David Cunliffe told reporters Friday.

No one was home at the time of the explosion, Cunliffe said.

The home was levelled and both homes on either side had been significantly" damaged, Cunliffe said, adding that there was no fire.

No injuries were reported.

Cunliffe said on Friday the cause of the explosion was unknown but there was a strong smell" of natural gas when crews arrived on scene.

At least 10 residents from three homes were displaced as a result of the explosion. Two of the homes affected were vacant.

More to come ...

Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com