Residents of a neighbourhood in east Winnipeg say they’re frustrated with a lack of answers and progress on rebuilding two months after an explosion completely destroyed one home and badly damaged others.
Camrose Bay, in the Transcona area, was rocked by the June 26 explosion, which scattered debris as far as blocks away.
Karl Lent’s house was directly beside the one that blew up. Lent’s home had to be demolished near the end of August because of the damage from the blast.
“It’s still just devastation,” said Lent. “Lives are ruined and … feelings are just running wild every day,” said Lent.
“What’s taking so long, why did it happen, how did it happen?”
He plans to rebuild, but says it feels like things are moving in “slow motion.”
“I don’t think we should be waiting for any permits,” he said. “This is crazy. [It’s] not like we chose to tear down a house and rebuild one — it burned through an explosion.”
City of Winnipeg spokesperson Kalen Qually said in a statement to CBC News a demolition permit was issued for Lent’s home on Aug. 20.
“Allowing owners to work with their insurance providers, the city does require property owners to submit the required applications before issuing permits for required work, whether it’s for demolition or construction,” Qually said.
But Lent also said he’s been disappointed with a lack of communication from both the city and province.
“Nobody’s come to ask us questions, like ‘What can we do for you, what do you need?’ Nothing,” said Lent.
His neighbour, Brandi Neves, took her frustration over a lack of communication to social media back in July. It was only after that she spoke with Mayor Scott Gillingham, she said.
Neves said she’s grateful for Gillingham’s response, but said there’s been little followup since.
City departments have worked in area: spokesperson
Qually also said in his statement staff from several city departments have been out to the area, both on the day of the incident and to address remaining issues.
Public works staff were at the scene in the days after the blast to clean up debris in the area and to make sure the street could be reopened to traffic, said Qually.
The city’s permits and inspections branch also visited neighbouring properties to assess the damage and advise property owners on what may be required to address that damage, the statement said.
In addition, the waste services division was in contact with property owners who needed their garbage and recycling bins replaced, said Qually.
Transcona MLA Nello Altomare said he went door-to-door to talk with families on Camrose Bay and at nearby residences during the week after the blast.
“As MLA for the area my door is always open, and we are here to provide any assistance we can,” Altomare said in a statement to CBC News.
Investigation into cause continues
In the wake of the June blast, the Winnipeg Police Service said the father and daughter who lived in the house that exploded weren’t home at the time, and that they had been found safe.
Police also said at that point the investigation could take weeks or months.
Last week, they said there were no updates to provide, but their investigation continues.
Qually also said the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is investigating along with police.
But Neves said the lack of answers is frustrating.
“How are we supposed to feel safe in our neighbourhood — the people that are living here again trying to put the pieces back together — not knowing exactly what the reason of the explosion was?” she said.
Another issue for neighbours is that the rubble from the house that exploded still hasn’t been moved, Neves said. People have climbed over the fences around the property at night, and it’s a safety hazard, she said.
“It should not be left like that. The city should have definitely acted upon it by now,” said Neves.
Qually said city staff have provided compliance orders to property owners for required work that include deadlines for response.
Meanwhile, Lent said he’s hoping to see progress speed up on getting his home rebuilt.
“We’re hoping they’re going to start building by the middle of the month,” he said. “Get the basement in, anyway, before the snow flies, and then over the winter I guess finish off the rest of it.
“It’s going to be nice to come home,” said Lent. “It doesn’t feel like home right now anymore.”