Regina Fire says cause of restaurant explosion still being determined

Regina Fire and Protective Services says it hasn’t determined the cause of the explosion that destroyed Luiggi’s Pasta House on Wednesday.

Hours after the explosion, the operators of the restaurant on Albert Street North said in a social media post that the blast was caused by a gas leak.

But in a statement Thursday morning, the fire department said its investigators, SaskEnergy inspectors and Regina police officers were still on the scene to continue their probe into the fire and explosion.

Crews were investigating the cause of the explosion at Luiggi’s Pasta House. Jan. 11, 2024 (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

“We have investigators right now on scene making sure that they confirm all the details and all the circumstances and make sure that they eliminate all potential causes when they finalize and confirm a final cause,” Fire Chief Layne Jackson told reporters at a media conference.

The department’s statement noted that just before 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, fire crews responded to the building for a report of a possible blown transformer.

“On arrival, significant damage to the building was noted with a fire actively burning in the southwest corner,” the statement said.

“Firefighters evacuated the building, which contained six businesses. The fire had spread into the attic space, but firefighters were able to bring it under control and contain it quickly. Three individuals suffered minor injuries.”

An excavator was spotted near Luiggi’s in the afternoon. Officials on the scene said it was used to help make the site safer for the investigation.

Crews used an excavator to make the site safer for investigation. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)