A neighbourhood in Clarington was evacuated over concerns of a gas explosion after a man inside a home tried to set it on fire.
On Friday, September 25, at around 12:35 pm, members of East Division responded to a disturbance at a residence in the area of Port of Newcastle Drive and Shipway Avenue. A man was actively destroying the interior of a residence.
Police arrived on scene and made contact with the man inside the residence. Officers successfully negotiated with the man to surrender himself, and took him into custody without incident.
A search of the residence revealed over $100,000 in damage in addition to gasoline filled jerry cans located beside a damaged natural gas fireplace. Gasoline was also located in various other locations throughout the residence, police said.
Due to concerns that gasoline vapours could ignite and cause a significant explosion, the gas supply and electrical power to the residence was disconnected. Neighbouring homes were evacuated as emergency services worked to ventilate the residence and contain any dangerous conditions, before the home was rendered safe.
No injuries were reported to police. This is believed to be an isolated incident, police said.
The 34-year old from Clarington was held for a bail hearing. Name and further details available at www.drps.ca.
Anyone with cell phone, dash cam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Kapeluk of the East Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1605.
Editor’s Note: Durham Post does not name the accused parties as:
1. Of this time, they are suspect[s] and not convicted by a court, and
2. Sometimes charges are amended or dropped.
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