WOODSTOCK, Ontario -- Two people were still unaccounted for Monday after an Ontario apartment building apparently exploded and caught fire, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
The three-story building in Woodstock, southwestern Ontario, exploded around 8:35 a.m. local time Sunday.
Woodstock fire Chief Rod Freeman said Monday that officials were expecting fatalities after the middle portion of the apartment complex was destroyed, although he declined to pass on details of the two people who have not been found.
Police originally believed as many as 11 people were missing, before revising the number to seven, then later to two. Freeman said officials were able to verify the safety of the majority after checking a tenancy list and setting up a Red Cross hotline.
The complex, which mostly houses elderly tenants, contained 45 units with about 100 residents.
The emergency room at nearby Woodstock General Hospital treated seven adults for injuries.
Six had minor injuries, and the other person's injuries were not critical, ER director Heidi Dantes said.
One firefighter was also treated for minor injuries. Around 30 tackled the blaze, which was not thought to have been caused by suspcious means.
"We have no evidence to indicate anything criminal in nature," Freeman said.
The majority of the residents were staying with friends and family Monday, while others were being housed at the nearby Quality Inn.
Local Red Cross chapter president Lee Murphy said the organization would provide food, clothing and shelter for the next three days.
