Explosion caused Langley, B.C., house fire that left 2 in critical condition, 1 unaccounted for: police
An explosion has caused a devastating house fire in Langley, B.C., that has resulted in two individuals sustaining critical injuries, one person missing, and the closure of a neighborhood. According to the RCMP, the incident took place in the 7300-block of 196 Street around 10:40 a.m. PT on Friday. Emergency services, including police, Langley firefighters, and B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), swiftly responded to the report of the fire at the residence.
As a safety precaution, homes in the vicinity were evacuated due to the severity of the situation. Sgt. Zynal Sharoom confirmed that the fire not only engulfed the primary residence but also caused damage to neighboring homes. The exact number of residences affected by the fire was not disclosed at the time.
Images from the scene show firefighters diligently working to extinguish the flames engulfing the charred remains of the house. The intensity of the fire was such that it even caused the roof of a neighboring home to catch fire, with flames visibly shooting out of the structure.
In a press briefing, Sgt. Sharoom stated that one individual remains unaccounted for following the explosion. Investigators have been actively interviewing neighbors and reviewing CCTV footage to gather more information about the incident. Witnesses described the explosion as deafening, emphasizing the magnitude of the blast that rocked the neighborhood.
BCEHS transported two critically injured individuals to the hospital via air ambulance for urgent medical attention. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, with the RCMP collaborating closely with the fire department to determine the root cause of the tragic incident.
Due to the ongoing investigation and safety concerns, 196 Street between 72 Avenue and 74 Avenue, along with several side streets, have been closed to traffic. Motorists are advised to steer clear of the area to facilitate emergency response efforts. Anyone possessing information relevant to the fire is urged to reach out to the Langley RCMP to aid in the investigation.
