Unsafe conditions prevent crews from recovering bodies after tanker-truck business explosion
Posted January 16, 2022 4:36 pm.
Last Updated January 16, 2022 4:43 pm.
Investigators in Ottawa say they have located four human remains in the site of a tanker-truck manufacturer that exploded on Thursday — but it’s still unsafe to recover them.
Ottawa Police Inspector Frank D’Aoust said the explosion, and the fire that followed it, caused the roof of the factory to collapse and destroyed a part of the building completely.
“The structure itself is still very unstable and we have not been able to get inside of it very far as of yet… there’s also potential of various chemicals and flare ups when debris is removed,” D’Aoust said.
RELATED: One dead, five unaccounted for after explosion at Ottawa tanker-truck business
“The structure is being dismantled and searched methodically, but this is a long process and could take several days,” he added.
Ottawa police confirmed Friday morning one man sent to hospital in critical condition had died and that four men and one woman believed to be at work during the explosion remain unaccounted for.
Eastway Tank’s website says it has operated since 1968 as a custom manufacturer for tanker trucks hauling liquids, including water and fuels.
It’s located in the city’s south end.
