An arrest has been made following an explosion on Friday at Indwell's supportive housing development in St. Thomas.
Emergency crews were called to The Station, located on Queen Street, just before 4 p.m. for an explosion that was determined to have occurred within one of the units.
The Station is home to 45 residents who have been displaced since the incident last week.
Natasha Thuemler, Indwell's Regional Manager for the Southwest, said that the tenants are leaning on each other for support following the traumatic event.
"They are a resilient group and they are doing well," she stated. "Obviously, everyone is eager to return home. This building was just recently fully occupied."
The 28,115-square foot building features a large kitchen, common rooms, staff offices, and 45 one-bedroom units including nine accessible rooms. The rooms are rented to people living on Ontario's Disability Support Program (ODSP) and gives a hand up to those who have experienced homelessness.
Thuemler said that some of the tenants do have supports to lean on in this time, who have offered them a temporary place to stay, others have been put up at a local hotel.
"We're very appreciative of their support and willingness to open their doors," she said, adding that staff have also been operating out of the hotel for the last few days.
"There have been a number of community individuals, social services, agencies, our partners from the city, as well as our healthcare partners who have just really rallied to offer words of support and encouragement. And that extends within the St. Thomas community as well as our partners in London and we just want to send a big thank you to everyone who has offered words of support or tangible items," Thuemler said.
The investigation is ongoing, and at this point there is no damage estimate, but Indwell is hopeful that people will be able to go home soon.
"We expect individuals to return very quickly," Thuemler noted. She added that Indwell has been collaborating very closely with the Fire Marshal during the investigation.
No significant injuries have been reported following the explosion.
On Monday, St. Thomas police said that they have charged a 41-year-old with two counts of possessing a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order, one count of arson with damage to property, and one count of arson with disregard for human life.
It has not been confirmed whether the person is a resident of The Station.