Hay River, Northwest Territories – Two homes, one in Hay River and the other in Yellowknife, were both damaged by explosions due to propane system work done without the necessary permits, documents obtained by CBC News reveal. Although the blasts were separate incidents, they occurred within a short timeframe: the first on November 26 in Hay River leveled a garage and damaged a home, while the second on December 6 caused significant damage to a home on Dagenais Drive in Yellowknife.
According to the N.W.T. Office of the Fire Marshal, both explosions were caused by propane but were deemed accidental and not suspicious. Fire investigation reports obtained through an access to information request show that work was done on the propane systems of both properties without the required permits and inspections.
In Hay River, assistant fire marshal TJ Moore’s investigation suggested that a propane leak inside a garage on Beaver Cres may have been caused by a generator and its recently upgraded piping. The report indicated that the upgrade to the piping for the generator was conducted without the necessary permit or inspection, potentially leading to the explosion.
Meanwhile, in Yellowknife, assistant fire marshal John Ritchie found that work had been carried out at the Dagenais Drive home without the required permit. The installation of three 500-litre propane tanks and related lines and regulators by Matonabee Petroleum in June had not been granted a permit, ultimately resulting in a propane leak and subsequent explosion.
Overall, the reports do not assign blame for the incidents, considering both explosions as accidental. The enforcement of permits and inspections for propane installations is highlighted as a crucial measure to prevent such tragedies in the future, stressing the importance of following regulations to ensure safety in propane-related works.