Homeowner charged in deadly house explosion in Whitehorse a year ago

A Whitehorse homeowner has been charged in connection with an explosion last year that destroyed his home and killed a man next door.

Timothy Preston was charged last Thursday under the Gas Burning Appliances Act in the territory in connection with heating system installation permits, RCMP said in a news release issued Tuesday.

The explosion on November 14, 2023, destroyed a house Debris is scattering and damaging other neighboring homes on Bates Crescent in Whitehorse’s Riverdale neighborhood.

David Gould, 77, was killed When his house right next to the explosion was damaged.

Police also said one of the residents of the house was seriously injured in the explosion.

A few days after the incident, RCMP said they had launched a criminal investigation.

Tuesday’s press release said police conducted a “highly complex and technical investigation into the explosion” last year with the help of “numerous” agencies from outside the area.

Preston faces two charges under the Gas Burning Appliances Act, including installing or altering “an appliance, domestic pipes, ventilation or gas fittings” without a permit permitting the work, as well as using any of these without permission and approval from the competent authority. . an inspector.

The maximum penalty for a crime under the law is a $2,000 fine, up to six months in prison, or both.

Preston is expected to appear in court on January 7.

“This matter is currently in the courts and no further information will be released,” the RCMP statement reads.