City of Kitchener approves the rebuild for Activa Avenue property

Over six months since the explosion that rocked the Activa Avenue neighbourhood and city officials have finally approved a rebuilding permit. August, 5, 2013

Officials at the city of Kitchener have approved a permit to rebuild on the site of the January explosion on Activa Avenue. that displaced the Nguyen family and shook the neighbourhood.

It’s been over six months since the explosion, but officials with the city of Kitchener say an agreement had to be reached between the homeowners, the insurance company and the developer before they could apply for the permits.

City officials say now the permits are ready and once they're issued construction could begin at any time.

Area resident, Cathy Zimmerman says since that January night, the empty lot at the corner Isaiah drive is a constant reminder of what happened.

“It's upsetting to pass it every day and I still see people that stop and they’re standing at the fence looking at it, and you know that they're feeling the same gut wrenching disbelief that this happened to somebody” says Zimmerman.

Neighbours recount the night as one they will never forget.

John Reimer said, “I was basically just sleeping and trying to get some rest and all of a sudden I heard a big boom.”

Ellen Hacko said, “We looked out the window and basically the whole house was in flames”

Fire investigators have not yet determined a cause for the explosion. It’s unsettling for some who say there are still many unanswered questions.

“It seems like a lot of people still don’t know what’s going on, they still refer to it like oh you live across the street from the house that blew up” said Hacko.

Neighbours are pleased, that the city has approved permits to demolish the foundation and rebuild a new home.

Councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock says that all the parties involved had to come to an agreement on what was going to be built there.

“They’ve seen the site plan drawings, they've seen what house is going to be built here they’ve seen how they're going to demolish the foundation and they’ve given the approval for all of that.”

It's not known if the Nguyen family plans to move back in once the home is rebuilt