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Explosion rocks northern arena

Extensive damage can be seen in these photos supplied by a reader. An early-morning explosion rattled neighbours and caused extensive damage to the Echo Bay Sportsplex. Reader supplied photo. Police say there are no reported injuries.

Extensive damage can be seen in these photos supplied by a reader. An early-morning explosion rattled neighbours and caused extensive damage to the Echo Bay Sportsplex. Reader supplied photo.

Police say there are no reported injuries.

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.

OPP say the damage is "major",but the cause of the explosion is not known at this time.