Luiggi’s Pasta House badly damaged in explosion, fire

A gas leak is being blamed for an explosion that shattered Luiggi’s Pasta House on Wednesday.

In a social media post, the operators of the restaurant on Albert Street North said the “major explosion” had been caused by a gas leak on the building’s south side.

“Thankfully we were not open for dinner service yet and no one was injured, all staff made it out safe,” the post said. “It’s a sad day for us and all our amazing supporters. Thank you for all the well wishes.”

Regina Fire and Protective Services said in social media post that the explosion and fire occurred just before 4:15 p.m. The fire department said three minor injuries had been reported.

Violet Wirll lives in a nearby apartment complex. She said she was doing laundry when she heard the explosion.

“I heard a boom like something hit the building (kind of), and I’m thinking: ‘What could that be? This is a cement building,’ ” Wirll said.

Wirll quickly ran down to the apartment’s door to get a better look when she realized there had been an explosion at Luiggi’s.

“I looked out the window and saw that it was burning. There were embers already through the wall and it just progressively got worse,” she said.

RFPS is on scene of a commercial fire 400 Blk Albert St North. Incident reported at 4:13 pm. Explosive event caused significant damage to the property. Fire is under control. 3 minor injuries reported. Please avoid the area if possible while we continue operations. #YQR pic.twitter.com/Ngz65pVmAY

— Regina Fire (@Regina_Fire) January 10, 2024

The fire department said an “explosive event caused significant damage to the property.” The fire was under control within an hour of crews arriving.

The Regina Police Service was on the scene to block traffic.

“Traffic is shut down southbound on Albert Street from Ninth Avenue North to Seventh Avenue North,” police said in a statement issued at 5:10 p.m. “The alley behind Luiggi’s between Albert Street and Angus Street is also shut down.

“At this time, we have no further information other than asking people to avoid the area if they can.”

At around 7:40 p.m., RPS said the restrictions had been lifted.

A video captured after the explosion at Luiggi’s Pasta House. Submitted courtesy of Violet Wirll. pic.twitter.com/VY0ptQQWG3

— 980 CJME (@CJMENews) January 11, 2024

Dean Foster was driving south from the industrial area when he saw a police vehicle coming the other way with its emergency lights on.

“I thought there was probably an accident down the street,” Foster said. “Then my son looked over to the right and said, ‘There’s an awful lot of smoke back there.’ And he was right.”

Foster immediately thought a fire had started in or near the strip mall which housed Luiggi’s.

“We saw a fire this morning in North Central and it kinds of hits your stomach,” he said. “This one here is somebody’s business that’s not going to end up doing very good.”

Another caller to the 980 CJME newsroom said smoke was still billowing out of the building when he drove past, but it was evident to him that there had been an explosion.

“There’s debris out the side, bricks — like part of the wall — blown off, a bunch of debris strewn all over the parking lot and a number of fire trucks there …,” he said.

“”It was a pretty big explosion just judging by the debris field.”