Woman charged with impaired driving after car crashes into house causing large explosion in London, Ont.
Officials in London, Ont., say about eight to 10 homes are severely damaged after a woman reportedly drove a vehicle into a house, subsequently striking a gas line and causing a large explosion.
Emergency crews were called to Woodman Avenue near Dundas Street, east of the downtown core, at 10:37 p.m. Wednesday.
When police arrived, they located a female driver who had to be extricated from the vehicle and was arrested for suspected impaired driving.
Daniella Alexandra Leis, 23, of Kitchener, has been charged with four counts of impaired operation causing bodily harm and impaired operation with a blood-alcohol concentration above the legal limit.
Officials said that about 12 minutes later, while police were still at the scene, there was a massive explosion that involved a number of residences.
London paramedics said they assessed 12 patients, and seven people, including police and fire personnel, were transported to hospital.
One civilian was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Four firefighters were also taken to hospital, three of whom have been released. One firefighter remains in hospital in serious but stable condition. It is unknown exactly what type of injuries the firefighter sustained.
Two police officers also sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospital but have since been released.
“I know I speak on behalf of all Londoners when I say thank you to our first responders, as they do so often — they risk their own safety to ensure the safety of others. We wish full and speedy recoveries to all who were injured,” said London Mayor Ed Holder.
