Updated August 10, 2025 @ 4:30pm
The Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) will return to a Marshall Street home in Barrie on Monday to continue to investigate the cause of a blast that sparked a fire and destroyed the residence.
According to Deputy Fire Chief Eric MacFadden, the OFM will be bringing heavy machinery to assist with the investigation.
One man was transported to hospital with what MacFadden said were "significant" injuries, though he was unable to confirm if the man had passed, and there was no word from Barrie police.
MacFadden had said earlier that the man was the only person at home at the time of the explosion.
The Marshall Street neighbourhood has rallied around the family. A GoFundMe page has been established to raise $20,000 to support two young children and their mother. As of late Sunday afternoon, over $15,000 had been raised.
The explosion at the Marshall Street home near Little Avenue occured around 11:30 Saturday morning.
Homes on either side of the residence also sustained damage.
People in the neighbourhood where the explosion occurred posted to social media that the blast rocked their homes, with one person saying they thought it was their kids moving furniture.
A video posted to Facebook shows a woman sitting on a chair on a deck when the explosion happens.
Police will hold the scene as part of the investigation.
