(OTTAWA) Human remains were found at the scene of an explosion in Ottawa on Thursday, but no bodies were found, investigators said.
Posted at 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Ontario Regional Supervising Coroner Louise McNaughton-Filion said Sunday the area is not yet safe enough to access the remains.
She said investigators will collect the remains and analyze them as soon as they can so they can identify the victims and determine their cause of death.
Inspector Frank D’Aoust of the Ottawa Police Service said the explosion at a tank truck manufacturer, Eastway Tank Pump and Meter, and the ensuing fire caused the roof to collapse and the total destruction of certain parts of the building.
Teams are currently working to carefully remove the debris and collect the evidence, but their progress is limited by the unstable conditions at the scene and the cold weather, the police officer added.
Mr D’Aoust says he cannot say when the investigation will be completed and the causes of the explosion will be revealed.
The structure of the building is being dismantled and methodically excavated. It is a long procedure that will require several days. There are many, many layers of debris. We have to be careful.
Inspector Frank D’Aoust, Ottawa Police Service
The explosion occurred around 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the company’s facilities, which are located in an industrial area in southern Ottawa.
Ottawa police confirmed Friday morning that a man taken to hospital in critical condition has died and that four men and a woman who were believed to have been at work during the explosion are still missing. She also indicated that she did not believe any survivors would be found.