RCMP are handling the investigation of a house explosion near Nanaimo含羞草研究社檚 downtown this week because there was a criminal element to the incident.

Police issued a press release Thursday, March 3, asking for any tips that will help in their investigation after a vacant house in the 300 block of Pine Street exploded the night of Sunday, Feb. 27.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 evident that the explosion happened and most likely as a result of natural gas,含羞草研究社� said reserve Const. Gary O含羞草研究社橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. 含羞草研究社淭he question is why it happened.含羞草研究社�

He said police, firefighters and utility crews sifted through the rubble the day after the explosion.

含羞草研究社淔ortunately there was nobody found in the debris,含羞草研究社� O含羞草研究社橞rien said.

But as part of the investigation and through consultation with partner agencies, he said police determined 含羞草研究社渢here含羞草研究社檚 most likely criminality involved.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e looking at the totality of the evidence based on that it was a boarded-up house, nobody should be inside, the fact that we含羞草研究社檝e attended to the house in the past for squatters,含羞草研究社� O含羞草研究社橞rien said.

He said RCMP are reviewing past police files related to the property and at the same time, are hoping to hear from anyone who might be able to provide information that could assist in the investigation.

含羞草研究社淚f somebody saw anything suspicious within 24-48 hours prior to that explosion 含羞草研究社� cars, people, noise from that home 含羞草研究社� we need to hear from those people,含羞草研究社� he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP含羞草研究社檚 non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file No. 2022-6847.

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