Northern Alta. house explosion likely caused by gas leak: RCMP
Northern Alberta Mounties are investigating a house explosion in Swan Hills early Monday morning.
Their preliminary investigation suggests the 3:55 a.m. explosion on Pan Am Street was caused by a gas leak, RCMP said in a news release.
In doorbell security footage provided by a neighbour across the street, light fills the basement windows then the main floor windows before the house explodes, shooting debris in all directions.
No one was in the house the time, police said. Neighbours told CTV News Edmonton the property has been vacant for a while.
Multiple neighbouring homes and vehicles were damaged. No one was hurt.
Of the shockwaves that shook her home 10 houses down the street, Danielle Mast said, "(There were) pictures frames falling (off) the wall, falling in our bedroom. So then we thought that either something hit our house. Honestly, we thought maybe it was a meteor."
When she realized what had happened, she called 911. Her first thought was of everyone in the blast zone.
"The panic kind of set in. You don't know if your neighbours are hurt until you get up there."
Another neighbourhood resident echoed the gratitude that no one was hurt in the incident.
"(It's) a little scary, considering my kids like to go to that park up the road. It could have happened yesterday during the day," Dustin Langeveld said.
Mounties promised the explosion would be investigated to the "fullest extent" but said at this stage, it doesn't appear to be criminal.
Swan Hills is located 220 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nav Sangha
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Much of Canada is under an extreme weather alert this weekend: here's what to know
From snow, to high winds, to extreme cold, much of Canada is under a severe weather alert this weekend. Here's what to expect in your region.
Calgary woman stranded in Mexico after husband's death during diving trip
A Calgary woman is struggling to return home after her husband died while diving in Mexico, leaving her stranded and facing financial hardship.
Fugitive U.S. rioter seeks asylum in Whistler amid warnings of more to come
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill and dodging jail time in Whistler may just be the start of an asylum-seeking rush, according to a prominent legal expert.
'I gave them a call, they didn't pick up': Canadian furniture store appears to have gone out of business
Canadian furniture company Wazo Furniture, which has locations in Toronto and Montreal, appears to have gone out of business. CTV News Toronto has been hearing from customers who were shocked to find out after paying in advance for orders over the past few months.
Thirty years on, is Quebec headed for another independence referendum?
On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Quebec's second independence referendum -- the first one was in 1980 -- it seems the tide could be turning again. Legault is deeply unpopular after six years in power, and the Parti Quebecois, with a young, charismatic leader, has been ahead in the polls for more than a year.
Soldier who died by suicide in Las Vegas told ex-girlfriend of pain and exhaustion after Afghanistan
The highly decorated Special Forces soldier who died by suicide in a Cybertruck explosion on New Year's Day confided to a former girlfriend who had served as an Army nurse that he faced significant pain and exhaustion that she says were key symptoms of traumatic brain injury.
Man arrested after committing five bank robberies in 10 days: Toronto police
A man accused of robbing five Toronto-area banks in a 10-day period has been arrested by Toronto police.
Four puppies abandoned in northern Ont. rescued, rehomed
On New Year's Day, a pair had gone for a drive on northern Ontario backroads near Markstay-Warren to look at the local wildlife when they came upon four puppies in the middle of the road in the cold.
Special national Liberal caucus meeting called for next week after regional chairs meet: sources
A special meeting of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national Liberal caucus has been called for next Wednesday, sources say.