Two homes were completely destroyed in an explosion in Virden Friday morning.
Around 9:10 a.m,. a house on Thompson Place in Virden exploded, setting the neighbouring home on fire as well.
One man was seriously injured and was transported to hospital. Police said his injuries are non-life threatening.
Two RCMP officers were treated on scene for minor injuries and one firefighter was taken to hospital as a precaution after rescuing the injured man. Police said there were no other injuries reported.
Manitoba Hydro spokesperson Scott Powell said the homeowner called to tell them he smelled natural gas after driving spikes into the ground. The homeowner thought he may have hit a gas line, Powell said.
A hydro employee attended the home and the explosion happened after the worker arrived.
Powell said the employee was "shaken" by the blast but did not require medical attention.
The Office of the Fire commissioner determined the cause of the explosion was the rupture of a gas line as a result of work done in the yard.
The office said natural gas then filtered into the home and was likely ignited by a pilot light.
Jeff McConnellm, the mayor of Virden, said a loud explosion could be heard from several blocks away.
“We just thought something fell on the building,” he said.
