TROIS-RIVIERES, QUE. - Huge fireballs shot into the sky above Trois-Rivières on Friday morning, as explosions and a blaze sparked by a gas leak destroyed seven buildings, killed one person and injured at least six other people.
Officials evacuated about 30 homes after natural gas seeped out of a line in a pizzeria and triggered a number of blasts just after 2 a.m. local time.
One person was killed and at least six injured in a gas fire early Friday morning in Trois-Rivières, Que.
"It was an immense ball of fire," said Hydro-Québec worker Pierre Vermette, who heard screaming as he and his colleagues helped warn people by knocking on doors and even breaking some down.
Another utility worker, Jean-Paul Pepin, rescued a woman, one of the six people injured in the blaze.
"It was done instinctively," Pepin said.
"You act to the best of your abilities. I hope I never go through anything like that again."
The explosions and blaze destroyed three businesses and four houses, firefighter Michel Letarte said.
At least 150 firefighters, including units from surrounding areas, fought the flames for about five hours before bringing it under control.
The local gas company said the gas made its way into the sewer system and pooled in underground aqueducts.
"We don't know the reason for the gas in the aqueducts," said Stephanie Trudeau of Gaz Métropolitan.
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