Investigation into house explosion leads to discovery of criminal act, RPS asking for assistance

The Regina Police Service (RPS) is asking the public for information or video that could assist in the investigation into a building explosion in the north central area on Nov. 13.
Around 10:40 a.m., police were called to the area of 6th Avenue and Retallack Street for a report of a building explosion at 1202 Retallack St. Officers blocked off traffic and began to investigate whether the explosion was criminal.
Through investigation, police determined a gas line in the building had been compromised on Nov. 13 sometime between the hours of 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., according to a release from RPS.
Det. Cst. Mark Oliver said police were able to determine the time frame based on the build up of gas pressure. However, he could not say how the gas line was compromised or if it was intentional as the matter is still under investigation.
Although the explosion itself was accidental, RPS said the compromise of the gas line is a criminal act and officers are looking to find out who is responsible for that.
“We can’t really say what the charge is going to be,” Oliver said.
“We know that the property was vacant so anybody in there constitutes as a break and enter. We know that the line was compromised so that constitutes as mischief.”
RPS are asking anyone in the area who may have seen suspicious activity or have stored video in a surveillance system to contact them or Crime Stoppers.
“We know that many cameras were destroyed because of the event and most of that (video) is stored in the cloud or on a hard drive, so we’re looking for some evidence that may come forward of any suspicious activity,” Oliver said.
According to police, no serious injuries were reported due to the explosion.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates | Daniel Jolivet insists he's not a murderer and says he has proof
Convicted murderer Daniel Jolivet, in prison for the past 30 years, has maintained his innocence since the day he was arrested. W5 reviews the evidence he painstakingly assembled while behind bars. W5's documentary 'Buried Evidence' airs Saturday at 7 p.m. on CTV.

Dozens of soldiers freed in Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap
Dozens of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war have returned home following a prisoner swap, officials on both sides said Saturday.
Marit Stiles set to officially take over as Ontario NDP leader
Marit Stiles is expected to be confirmed as the new leader of the Ontario NDP today.
China balloon: Many questions about suspected spy in the sky
The massive white orb drifting across U.S. airspace has triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and is blowing up on social media. A look at what's known about the balloon crossing the U.S. and what isn't.
Preliminary study finds poor oral health may affect the brain later in life
An early study has shown keeping your gums and teeth healthy may have added benefits for your brain health.
Oldest preserved vertebrate brain found in 319-million-year-old fish fossil
The oldest preserved vertebrate brain has been found in a 319-million-year-old fossilized fish skull that was removed from an English coal mine over a century ago.
In Tyre Nichols' neighbourhood, Black residents fear police
In a terrible way, the death of Tyre Nichols brings vindication to members of the Black community in Memphis who live in terror of police.
One in four Canadian cancer patients still experiencing cancelled appointments: survey
In the field of cancer treatment, nothing is more important than diagnosing and treating the problem as quickly as possible — but according to new survey data, about one in four Canadian cancer patients report that they are still experiencing cancelled or postponed appointments.
50-car train derailment causes big fire, evacuations in Ohio
A train derailment and resulting large fire prompted an evacuation order and a declaration of a state of emergency in an Ohio village near the Pennsylvania state line on Friday night, covering the area in billows of smoke lit orange by the flames below.