Investigators in Fort McMurray released the cause of the blaze that destroyed a condo building under construction in that city late last week.
At about 12 p.m. on Friday, firefighters were called to the Siltstone Place condominium complex – firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the building.
The complex was under construction when the fire started, and all of the construction workers on the site managed to evacuate safely – one firefighter suffered minor injuries, and is expected to return to work in a few weeks.
Investigators found a soil stabilization mixer had struck a gas line and the power line to the building – officials said the mixer’s teeth tore a six inch gash into the natural gas line, at the same time the power line was hit.
A spark from the teeth hitting the power and utilities lines caused the gas to ignite, and the flame spread quickly from the mixer to the four storey residential building.
Officials said a sprinkler system had been installed, but it had not yet been charged.
