Fiveasec: Eastway Explosion: One dead, five people remain missing in Merivale Road blast, fire

Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

One person has died of their injuries and five other people remain missing and are presumed dead after the powerful explosion and fire in Nepean Thursday afternoon.

Ottawa police Insp. Frank D’Aoust said at an outdoor briefing Friday morning that next-of-kin have been notified in the cases of all of the victims.

“Unfortunately, one of the three men transported to hospital yesterday has succumbed to his injuries this morning,” D’Aoust said.

Police confirmed that four men and one woman, were at the building when the explosion occurred. Families have been advised but their identities will not be released at this time.

“It is not believed that any survivors will be found,” the inspector said.

“One man remains in hospital in serious but stable condition, the third was released from hospital.”

In a prepared statement, Neil Greene, president and owner of Eastway Tank Pump and Meter Ltd., vowed to “get to the bottom of what happened.”

“I am completely devastated,” Greene said. “To the families of our lost colleague and to all our employees, please know that Eastway Tank will be there for you without fail in the weeks and months ahead. My deepest condolences to all of you.”

Greene confirmed that one Eastway employee has died, five more are missing and one is in hospital from what he called the “tragic explosion.”

“My heart goes out to their families, loved ones and to all of our employees who are reeling from this deep loss,” he said, adding: “We remain in close contact with investigators, and we will cooperate with authorities on all ensuing investigations.”

Recovery and investigations efforts are underway at the site of the blast, at Eastway’s facility at 1995 Merivale Rd.

But police cautioned that the area is heavily damaged, which will hinder investigations.

Among the agencies investigating are Ottawa Police Service, the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office, the Ministry of Labour, Ottawa Fire Services and the Regional Coroner’s Office .

The office of the chief coroner (OCC) is investigating the death of the person who died in hospital, spokesperson Stephanie Rea confirmed Friday afternoon. As for those who are missing, Rea said the coroner’s office was working with its “investigating partners” — the police and fire service, Ontario Fire Marshall’s office and Ministry of Labour — at the scene.

Sudden and unexpected deaths must be reported to a coroner, who then investigates them to determine how the person died and whether an inquest is necessary.

They can also make recommendations to the chief coroner about how to prevent deaths in similar circumstances.

An OCC webpage advises that “the length of time needed to complete an investigation varies depending on its complexity” and that family members can contact the investigating coroner or regional office for an update.

Emergency crews first responded to the scene at 1:30 p.m.

Acting Fire Chief Paul Hutt told reporters callers cited “heavy flame and smoke” coming from the building.

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The first fire crews that arrived found the structure of the building engulfed in flames and smoke, an Ottawa Fire Services media release said. Moments later, within 15 minutes of the first 911 call, the roof began to cave in and the walls of the building began to collapse.

Paramedics transported three patients to the hospital: two of them with critical injuries and a third with minor injuries. A firefighter was also injured, although those injuries were described as minor in a media release.

The Ottawa Hospital confirmed it received three patients from the incident.

Ottawa Public Health offered a list of resources for people who may have been impacted by the event.

-More to come

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Read day one reporting of the explosion
Eastway Explosion: ‘heavy flame and smoke’ on Merivale Road

Jan 13 2022 - Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. TONY CALDWELL, Postmedia. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Jan 13 2022 - Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital.. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Workers who got out of the building near the site Thursday. TONY CALDWELL, Postmedia. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Workers who got out of the building near the site Thursday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Workers who got out of the building near the site Thursday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Fire at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road in Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, Ottawa Police and Ambulance Service were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Ottawa Fire emergency vehicles, police and paramedics were at the scene and police indicate there was an explosion. Injuries were also reported and workers were sent to the hospital. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia