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Body found in debris of apartment building

Police in Woodstock, Ont., have found a body in the charred rubble of an apartment building destroyed by a fiery explosion over the weekend.
woodstock explosion
Investigators examine remains found in the rubble of an apartment building in Woodstock Ontario

WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Police in Woodstock, Ont., have found a body in the charred rubble of an apartment building destroyed by a fiery explosion over the weekend.

Crews will spend the day working to remove the unidentified remains from the debris so they can be sent for forensic examination in London, Ont., police said in a news conference Wednesday.

Woodstock police chief Rod Freeman said they have notified the families of two people reported missing after Sunday morning’s blast.

Police have been searching for Margaret Gillett, 73, and Bill Watmough, 79.

“Our community’s collective thoughts and prayers are with (their) families and friends,” Freeman said.

The search for the remaining person will likely be delayed by efforts to recover the body from the rubble, said Const. Steven McEwan.

It could take a few days to identify the victim, he said.

Police found the remains around 5 p.m. Tuesday and alerted the coroner’s office.

Five others who were previously unaccounted for have been found alive.

Investigators have yet to determine what caused the explosion, but said there’s no indication of criminal activity.

They’re looking into a natural gas service that powered appliances in the building as a possible cause.