A man is treated for burns by a paramedic after an explosion in a College Ave. residence before being taken to hospital. (Scott Taylor, The London Free Press)
A man and a woman suffered serious burns after a London explosion Tuesday night while a man sprayed for wasps in a basement.
The explosion took place at a house at 195 College Ave., just before 6 p.m.
The injured man was in the basement spraying for wasps at the time, said London Fire platoon chief Paul Carew.
“We’re not sure yet,” he said at the scene, “but it’s likely the insecticide came in contact with the pilot light of the gas water heater and that’s what caused the explosion.”
Police said their injuries were not life-threatening.There was no fire and no other house was damaged.
A neighbour said she heard a small boom, but didn’t see any flames.
“It’s an example of why it’s so important to read instructions and open windows to ventilate when using insecticide,” Carew said.
College Ave., located west of Richmond St. near Oxford St., was closed to traffic for about an hour.
Source: The London Free Press.
