Homeowner charged in connection with deadly house explosion in Whitehorse a year ago

A Whitehorse homeowner has been charged in connection with an explosion last year that destroyed his home and killed a man in a neighbouring house. 

RCMP said in a news release on Tuesday that Timothy Preston was charged last Thursday under the territory's Gas Burning Devices Act, related to installation permits for a heating system.

The explosion on Nov. 14, 2023, levelled a home on Bates Crescent in Whitehorse's Riverdale neighbourhood, scattering debris and causing damage to other neighbouring homes. 

David Gould, 77, was killed when his home — next door to the blast — was damaged. 

Police also said at the time that a resident of the house that exploded was seriously injured.

Within days of the incident, RCMP said they had opened a criminal investigation.

Tuesday's news release said police conducted a "highly complex and technical investigation into the explosion," over the last year with help from "multiple" agencies from outside the territory.

Preston faces two charges under the Gas Burning Devices Act, including installing or altering "an appliance, house piping, a vent or a gas installation" without a permit authorizing the work, as well as using any of those without a permit and without approval by an inspector.

The maximum penalty for an offence under the act is a $2,000 fine, up to six months in prison, or both.

Preston is due to appear in court on Jan. 7.

"This matter is now before the courts and no further information will be provided," reads the RCMP release.