Aerial scene of Sunrise Propane Industrial Gases after it exploded.Charla Jones/The Globe and Mail
The pre-dawn explosion and fire at Sunrise Propane two years ago has been linked to a gas hose leak and mechanical failure, according to a report obtained by the CBC.
The confidential report from the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office did not give an exact cause of the fire, which killed Sunrise Propane employee Parminder Singh Sani, 25. However, it did note an illegal "tank-to-tank transfer was in progress at the time of the accident." A propane leak happened because of a hose failure, the report said. Over six minutes prior to the explosion, leaked liquid propane turned to vapour, according to the report. Somehow, the vapour cloud ignited and investigators did not say how or why.
"This explosion and fire will be classified as accidental - mechanical failure," the 367-page report said in its conclusion.
The explosion broke out at the plant in the city's north end early Aug. 10, 2008. Many buildings were damaged and the boom and spectacular glow rattled nearby residents and those farther afoot as well.
Residents and businesses filed a class-action suit against Sunrise Propane and the owner of the property.