NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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Detectives from the 2 District – Niagara Falls office of the Niagara Regional Police Service are investigating an explosion at a residence in the area of Fourth Avenue and Morrison Street in Niagara Falls.
On Jan. 24, 2020, at approximately 10 a.m. emergency services personnel responded to a residence on Fourth Avenue for a fire. Members of the Niagara Falls Fire Service were able to extinguish the fire in the home.
As a result of the subsequent police investigation by uniform officers and detectives, they have learned that there had been an ongoing dispute between two males in the Fourth Avenue house.
Prior to leaving the residence, a 34-year-old man is believed to have intentionally detonated a commercial-grade pyrotechnic, resulting in the fire. The man and a woman fled the scene prior to the arrival of the police. The woman's involvement in the matter is still under investigation.
The four remaining persons in the residence were able to escape the structure. Paramedics from Niagara Emergency Medical Services treated four persons for smoke inhalation at the scene. One person was transported to a local hospital as a precaution.
The suspect man and women were last seen pushing a wheelbarrow full of miscellaneous belongings on Huron Street in Niagara Falls. They are believed to have had a pit bull with them.
Tyler Sterling Rivard (34-years-old) of Niagara Falls is wanted for the alleged Criminal Code of Canada offences of:
- Using explosives contrary to section 81(1)(c)
- Arson disregard for human life contrary to section 433(a)
The scene is being held for further investigation by detectives from the Forensic Services Unit and investigators from the office of the Ontario Fire Marshal.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, extension 9408. Anyone knowing the location of Rivard is asked to contact the police.
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