Officials said Tuesday that a number of homes were damaged or destroyed Monday night, after explosions in two separate areas of Fort McMurray.
On Tuesday morning, officials with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo said a fire in Thickwood at Silin Forest Road on Monday night had left a fourplex destroyed, and damaged three units across from Father Mercredi.
In Dickinsfield, officials said there was an explosion in a home on Clenell Crescent – damaging seven nearby homes on Dickins Drive.
Later in the day, Premier Rachel Notley said two explosions damaged about ten homes in the two neighbourhoods.
“These fires were swiftly controlled and put out promptly,” Notley said.
Officials said the incidents were under investigation – but few additional details were released.
A spokesperson with ATCO said they provide electricity and natural gas service to Fort McMurray, and crews had been working with officials on site since the fires started more than a week ago.
“Our team is on site supporting the investigation of the house explosion to determine the cause. ATCO has proactively halted work on the restoration of the natural gas system until the results of the investigation are known,” the statement continued.
The province said Tuesday that ATCO had restored gas service to about 60 percent of the city.
