Police say the lone victim of Saturday’s violent house explosion in Barrie’s Allandale area, a 45-year-old man, was located in what was left of the home and was transported to a local hospital
Barrie police have confirmed the man rescued from a Marshall Street home following an explosion, has died of his injuries.
Barrie Police Service, along with Barrie Fire and Emergency Services, and the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services responded to a report of an explosion at a residence located at 65 Marshall St. in Barrie’s Allandale area shortly before noon on Saturday, Aug.9.
“Multiple reports that were received identified that the home was on fire and that the damage, as a result of the explosion, was extensive. A 45-year-old male was located in what was left of the home and was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries,” said Peter Leon, communications coordinator for Barrie police.
“Yesterday, Barrie Police learned that the critically injured male had passed away.”
The cause of the explosion and fire is being investigated by the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), which is being assisted by detectives from the Barrie Police Criminal Investigation Division, added Leon.
“They have heavy equipment on scene so they are slowly going through what remains, which is nothing. The entire structure is gone, and everything has collapsed into the foundation of that house,” he said.
Police will maintain a presence at the scene until the OFM is finished with their investigation, Leon said.
“We did prepare and receive judicial authority yesterday in the form of a search warrant to allow for the investigation to proceed moving forward. We are working closely with the fire marshal should they determine any causes.”
The fact no other injuries were sustained from the blast, he acknowledged, was “pretty amazing,” especially considering how far debris from the explosion went.
“The door is across the street in somebody’s driveway. There are pieces of window frames on people’s front lawn.”
A GoFundMe, set up Sunday, Aug. 10 by family friends, has already raised more than $25,000 to help the family of the man killed in the explosion, while others in the community have been busy collecting donations of clothing and other personal items.