‘BOOM’: HUNDREDS EVACUATE AFTER HOUSE EXPLODES

Driver faces charges after slamming into home, hitting gas line

LONDON, ONT. • More than 100 homes were evacuated in London, Ont., late Wednesday night after a car crashed into a house and gas line, causing a massive explosion and fire, injuring at least seven.

Daniella Alexandra Leis, a 23-year-old woman from Kitchener, is facing a raft of charges, including four counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, following the crash which happened just before 11 p.m.

The fiery explosion rocked residents of the Old East Village, a historic area east of the downtown core. The blast sent flames and debris flying and was felt for blocks.

Many people ran in fear after several smaller explosions were set off as firefighters fought the inferno.

Acting Deputy Fire Chief Jack Burt said the blast completely destroyed the home that was hit by the vehicle, noting that the residence was empty at the time. “There’s a hole in the ground,” he said. “This was a significant explosion.”

Four firefighters, two police officers and one civilian were taken to hospital, authorities said. One firefighter was in serious condition, while the others had minor injuries and were released, they said.

About 100 residences in the neighbourhood had to be evacuated, a city spokeswoman said, with seven of those homes “severely impacted” by the fire. The blaze was largely put out by Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

And read Ladd had just climbed out of her minivan late Wednesday night when she saw a car going the wrong way on a street before it slammed into the house on Woodman Avenue — the epicentre of the explosions and fire.

“I jumped out and waved my arms and screamed trying to stop her (the driver), but she just kept going,” said Ladd. “Then I heard the car hit the house and went down the street. The police were already there when I got there and I saw a woman getting into an ambulance. We were told to get back and then it exploded and we ran. I could feel the heat on my back.”

Brian Magee, who lives a few doors down from where the blast occurred, was among several residents who gathered near the scene on Thursday. He said he had gone outside with his son on Wednesday night after seeing first responders in the area.

“All of a sudden ‘boom’ — that’s when the gas line blew,” he said, adding that the force of the blast caused the windows of his home and other nearby residences to shatter.

Maggee said he rushed to shield his son from the debris that was scattered across the neighbourhood.

“I just grabbed my son and put him down like a little turtle so it could hit me,” he said, adding that he and his family had to leave their home as the fire spread.

“I’m upset. My kids are upset,” he said, adding that the family cat has gone missing.

Michael Peckham, who lives “about two doors down” from the crash scene said he heard “a big bang” and ran outside.

“We saw the car embedded in a yellow brick house,” he said. “We made sure that everyone was out — the owner of the house, a lady and her young daughter.”

Two other neighbours, he said, tried to help the woman who was trapped in the car, trying to smash a car window with a brick until police and firefighters arrived.

“Police told us to get back as far as we could,” Peckham said.

While Peckham helped two elderly neighbours leave their home, they heard the explosion.

“All of the windows imploded in the house,” he said. “That’s when I knew it was serious. There were a few houses that were on fire. It was pretty scary.”

Neighbours banded together to help support the displaced families in the aftermath.

On Thursday, a grassroots Facebook group formed, offering everything from free rides to childcare and clothing to the residents.

Businesses were taking donations, people offered their homes to displaced families, and community groups opened a fund at Libro, a cause bolstered by a $10,000 donation from the London-based credit union itself.

“Everybody kind of turned to their neighbours to see what they can do to help in this situation,” said Ward 4 Coun. Jesse Helmer.

“I am super proud of the people of London and Old East Village, they’ve been amazing," Helmer said, adding that some of the residents have lost everything.

Fire Chief Lori Hamer said her crews would be assessing structural damage to the homes to determine when residents could return.

The city said some of those displaced by the incident have been put up in hotels.

THE CANADIAN PRESS / LONDON POLICE SERVICE An aerial view shows the scene Thursday where a motorist slammed into a house in London, Ont., causing a gas line to explode. Hundreds of people were displaced from their homes late Wednesday as firefighters battled several blazes that following the initial blast, which destroyed the house. Police say a Kitchener, Ont., woman has been charged with impaired driving relating to the crash, which triggered several explosions and sent seven to hospital.

GEOFF ROBINS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Fire officials investigate the scene of a house explosion after a car crashed into a house in London, Ont., on Thursday.