Explosion rocks Echo Bay arena (2 photos, update)

12:11 p.m. update:

Town officials are still waiting to hear if this morning's explosion has caused structural damage to the building that houses the Echo Bay Sportsplex's ice surface.

The blast, which caused extensive damage to an older canteen section of the structure which houses the rink's Zamboni, also caused visible damage to the north wall of the 100- by 200-foot Butler building, but Lynne Duguay, clerk administrator, said the town hopes it isn't structural.

An official from the Office of the Fire Marshal is expected to arrive this afternoon and will be met by a structural engineer, Duguay said.

Even if the main building is declared sound the explosion is expected to mean the end to what has been a great season for the natural ice surface, said Duguay.

Cold weather has meant good quality ice and use at the facility has been up, both with rentals and open skates, she said.

"It has been a good year for the ice," Duguay said.

8:13 a.m. update:

Ontario Provincial Police have issued a news release regarding this morning's explosion. It follows our earlier coverage below.

Earlier story (7:45 a.m.):

An early-morning explosion rattled neighbours and caused extensive damage to the Echo Bay Sportsplex.

Lynne Duguay, clerk administrator for the Township of MacDonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional Township just east of Sault Ste. Marie, said the blast occurred between 4-4:30 a.m.

The east side of the facility’s Zamboni room is “completely gone.”

“There is a lot of damage,” said Duguay.

She said the building was empty at the time and no one was injured, though the explosion was felt by nearby residents.

“I know a lot of houses in the area really felt the explosion,” said Duguay.

She said the last rental at the facility was at 10 p.m. last night.

Duguay said Echo Bay firefighters were on the scene within minutes and power and gas company representatives were able to quickly cut electricity and gas to the building.

Duguay said a gas leak is suspected as the cause, but that has not been determined.

The Office of the Fire Marshal has been contacted, she said.

An OPP news release follows:

The Echo Bay fire department and Union Gas are also presently on scene.

The building sustained major damage.

No injuries are reported.

The Office of the Fire Marshall will be attending the scene.

The cause of the explosion is not known at this time.

The investigation is continuing.

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(PHOTO: Extensive damage can be seen (top and below) in these photos supplied by a reader.)