At approximately 5:50am on July 3, 2016, officers from the Selkirk RCMP, along with the Selkirk Fire Department and EMS, were dispatched to a house fire on the 700 block of McLean Avenue in Selkirk, Manitoba.
Damage caused by an explosion at a Selkirk residence.
Initial police investigation by the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the RCMP’s Forensics Identification Service, as well as an RCMP clandestine laboratory expert, has determined that the fire was likely caused by illegal drug production.
Police say that the attempted production of drugs led to an explosion in a bathroom within the house and resulted in severe burns to two adult males, both from Selkirk. One of the males was transported to hospital by STARS, while the other male was transported to hospital by ambulance. The individuals were 19 and 27 years of age and both remain in stable condition. Also in the home at the time of the explosion were four adults and a six month old infant. None of these individuals were injured, though the infant was taken to hospital as a precaution.
“Two men have significant burns to their bodies and a six month old child was placed in a very dangerous situation and is lucky to be uninjured,” said Sgt. Bert Paquet, RCMP Media Relations. “This is a tragic situation and a reminder of the serious risks involved in the production of illegal drugs.”
The criminal investigation into this matter is ongoing.
