Explosions, deadly garage fire deemed accidental

The Regina Fire Department has finished its investigation into a deadly garage fire, finding it was accidental.

The fire happened last Friday night around 8:45 p.m. when fire crews were called to a home on the 4400 block of Seventh Avenue for reports of an explosion.

After combing through the scene over the long weekend, the fire department determined the first explosion was caused when sparks from a grinder ignited fumes inside a vehicle’s gas tank that was right next to a man in his mid-20s; he eventually died at the scene.

As firefighters were trying to contain the fire to the detached garage, they said a second explosion occurred. That was caused by a nitrous oxide pressure vessel. Shrapnel from that blast hit two firefighters. The shrapnel struck them, but the department said they weren’t hurt.

Regina fire is reminding individuals to be safe when using flame- or spark-producing equipment in confined spaces with flammable liquids or vapours.