Explosion displaces dozens of residents from CBRM seniors complex
CBC
Nearly 60 people living in a seniors complex in Sydney, N.S., have been forced to leave following an explosion at the building, Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Amanda McDougall confirmed to CBC News.
"What we do know is that there was a significant amount of snow on the roof of the building that had compromised the lines from the propane tank into the building and unfortunately something ignited from within and there was an explosion," McDougall said in an interview Friday evening.
She added she's anticipating a full report from an inspector.
McDougall said one resident of the provincially run Silver Birch Manor is suspected to be seriously injured. She said those who didn't have family to stay with were taken to a hotel with support from the Canadian Red Cross.
The explosion happened around 4 p.m. on Friday. Photos from the scene show a large hole blown out of one side of the building.
First responders, including Cape Breton Regional Police, Fire and Emergency Services and EMO attended the scene.
The explosion comes as Cape Breton continues to dig out after the heaviest snowfall in the area in years. McDougall said she's concerned about other potentially compromised buildings in the area.
CBRM council called a local state of emergency after the snowstorm, which brought 150 centimetres of snow to parts of the island. A provincial state of emergency was not declared, and Premier Tim Houston suggested on Tuesday the municipality's action was a "publicity stunt."
Houston apologized for his comments soon afterwards.
MacDougall said Friday evening's events showed that the danger of the historic snowfall hasn't passed — and the municipality needs help.
"We need the army here, quite frankly. This is critical when seniors complexes are are exploding," she said.
MacDougall said a restaurant in Sydney, 7 by 7, posted photos to Facebook on Friday showing their ceiling caving in from the amount of snow on the roof. Prior to that, the local animal shelter had to vacate over fears its roof could collapse.
""We need exceptional supports right now to help us with this snow removal and investigations and inspections on structural integrity of buildings — all of it," she said.
"This is exactly why we called the state of local emergency. You know, we've been through these types of events before and ... it's not those immediate moments that are going to show the true depth of the impact of of the the emergency."
The RCMP has not recruited enough new officers or effectively assigned its members to meet its operational needs, according to a new report from the auditor general — raising concerns about public safety across the country.
Oil prices fell Monday morning after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would hold off on striking Iran’s energy infrastructure amid productive talks between the two countries.
Premier Doug Ford says his government plans to give Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport special designation that would allow the province to bypass municipal and provincial laws as it pushes to expand the runway downtown.
Jenelle Hughes says she worries every time her two older children take their car to get to Fanshawe College in London, Ont., from their home in Dutton.
Oil prices fell Monday morning after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would hold off on striking Iran’s energy infrastructure amid productive talks between the two countries.
While spring technically started late last week, Newfoundland and Labrador isn't free from winter weather just yet.
The Sudbury School Bus Consortium is suspending all school buses in Greater Sudbury as the community continues to clean up following a major storm.
Two large corporate landlords owning a combined 9,008 rental units in Halifax are reporting smaller annual increases in their average rents for 2025 than the previous year.
The Holt government has reached a deal with Ottawa on compensation for tens of millions of dollars in lost sales tax revenue from the Christmas season in 2024.
The government of Saskatchewan has announced plans to reduce the length of non-resident game bird hunting licences to combat illegal guiding.
An 87-year-old Alberta man is fighting extradition to the United Kingdom to stand trial for historical allegations of physical and sexual assault involving minors.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.