He Called 911 After a Car Hit His Building’s Gas Line. Then It Exploded

Survivors of a deadly north Edmonton apartment explosion are describing the terrifying moments after a vehicle crashed into their building, ruptured a gas line and sparked a massive fire.

The blast destroyed the three-storey mixed-use building near 132 Avenue and 82 Street, leaving two people dead, several injured and many residents without homes.

Resident Called 911 After Smelling Gas

Resident Randolph Pattemore said he saw a vehicle crash into the apartment building where he lived and immediately smelled a strong gas odour.

Worried that an explosion could happen, he called 911 to report the gas smell and warn authorities about the danger.

Moments later, the explosion occurred.

Blast Described as Sudden and Violent

Pattemore said the force of the explosion blew out a window before the impact seemed to rush back into the building like a freight train.

He and his roommate, Matty Poburan, survived the blast but lost their home and belongings. Pattemore said he lost nearly everything, including his identification.

Roommates Staying With Family After Fire

After the explosion and fire, Pattemore and Poburan began staying at Poburan’s mother’s home.

The building where they lived was badly damaged in the Monday night fire, leaving residents displaced and unsure of what steps to take next.

Two Elderly Residents Killed

Police said an 85-year-old man died after jumping from a third-floor balcony while trying to escape the flames. Edmonton police later confirmed that his 82-year-old wife also died in the fire.

The victims have been identified as Major Singh Bhandal and Surinderjit Kaur Bhandal, a married couple remembered by family as loving, independent and deeply connected to Edmonton’s Sikh community.

Six Residents Taken to Hospital

Edmonton police said six residents were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 62-year-old driver of the vehicle that struck the building was also taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was reported to be in stable condition.

Vehicle Struck Gas Line Before Explosion

Police said the fire began at about 9:15 p.m. on Monday, July 13, when a vehicle hit the mixed-use commercial and residential complex and ruptured a gas line.

The damaged gas line caused natural gas to vent into the area before the explosion and fire spread through the building. CityNews reported that fire crews described the blaze as aggressive and heavily fuelled by the gas leak.

Residents Tried to Escape Before Blast

Pattemore said he ran back upstairs after smelling gas to grab his phone and warn Poburan and another friend inside the apartment.

Poburan said they were heading toward the door when the explosion threw them into the air and sent glass flying through the apartment.

He described the scene as chaotic and said the stairwell was heavily damaged, with wall materials blown apart and exposed beams visible as they tried to evacuate.

Pets Lost in the Fire

Pattemore and Poburan escaped with minor injuries, but two golden labradoodles that Poburan had been caring for did not survive.

Pattemore said the dogs appeared to jump toward a window after the explosion, seemingly trying to escape the fire.

Displaced Residents Face Confusion

Poburan said the aftermath has been difficult to navigate because there is no simple guide for people whose homes are suddenly destroyed.

He said residents are now trying to figure out which agencies can help and what steps they need to take after losing their place to live.

Red Cross Supporting Residents

Police said at least 35 people were believed to live in the 16-suite building, which also had four businesses on the ground floor.

Twenty-one residents were receiving support from the Canadian Red Cross, while others were accounted for because they were not in the building at the time.

Police Launch Mass-Casualty Investigation

Edmonton Police Chief Warren Driechel said police launched a mass-casualty investigative protocol because of the scale and complexity of the incident.

CityNews reported that the homicide unit is involved because of the magnitude of the event, the fatalities and the need to preserve evidence while investigators determine what happened.

Structural Damage Delays Investigation

Officials said severe structural damage made it unsafe for investigators to enter the building immediately.

Police said it could take considerable time before emergency crews could safely access the structure to continue searching and collecting evidence. CityNews reported that access could be delayed by about 48 hours because of the building’s instability.

Road Closure Expected to Continue

A section of 82 Street around the fire scene was closed as emergency crews and investigators remained in the area.

Police said the closure was expected to continue while the site remained unsafe and the investigation moved forward.

The north Edmonton apartment explosion has left survivors grieving, displaced and trying to rebuild after a vehicle crashed into their building and ruptured a gas line. Randolph Pattemore and Matty Poburan survived the blast, but lost their home, belongings and two dogs in the fire.

Two elderly residents, Major Singh and Surinderjit Kaur Bhandal, died in the tragedy, while several others were injured. As police and fire officials continue investigating, structural damage to the building has slowed access to the scene and left residents waiting for answers.