Toronto, ON, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red Cap Propane was slapped with a $45,000 fine plus a 25% victim surcharge by the Ontario Court of Justice after being found guilty of breaking fuel safety rules under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.
Back in February 2024, there was an explosion at a home in Cambridge, Ontario that got propane service from Red Cap Propane. That house is now considered unsafe to live in and experts have recommended tearing it down.
The TSSA’s investigation showed the explosion happened because of a bad connection between the propane tank and the furnace inside the house. This caused lots of propane to leak underground.
The homeowner had already been worried about using way more propane than normal-even during summer months-since their furnace was the only appliance running on propane. In July 2021, after the customer asked for help, Red Cap Propane came out to inspect and moved the tank to a new spot on the property. Later on in November 2022, they sent out a senior gas fitter subcontractor to do a pressure test. But that subcontractor wrongly said there were no leaks. The TSSA found problems with how the tank hooked up to the gas line that led to leaking and eventually caused that explosion.
TSSA also learned that someone from Red Cap Propane took off the gas regulator from the site after things went wrong-which goes against rules in the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 that say you can’t mess with any equipment at an accident scene until TSSA gives permission.
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Owen Kennedy, who runs TSSA’s Fuel Safety Program said this: “Ontario families count on fuel contractors to meet regulatory requirements and keep them safe. When it comes to fuel safety, there can be no compromise. Equipment must be installed, inspected, and tested with care and professionalism, because even a single oversight can have serious consequences for life and property.
This case also reinforces a key legal requirement that all equipment involved in an incident is evidence and must not be removed until TSSA has released the site. Preserving the integrity of that evidence is essential, not only as a legal obligation but also to ensure that our investigation can accurately determine the cause of incident, responsibilities of the parties involved, and prevent future incidents.”
About TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is one of Ontario’s public safety regulators appointed by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety laws and improve public safety overall. Across Ontario they oversee amusement rides, boilers & pressure vessels, elevators & lifts including ski lifts; fuels; operating engineers; among other areas. Their work includes public education campaigns; consumer info; certifications; licensing & registration; engineering design reviews; inspections & investigations; consulting on safety management; plus helping companies comply or taking enforcement actions when needed. Their goal is to be trusted advocates for public safety.
CONTACT: Alexandra Campbell – Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards & Safety Authority
416-734-2728
[email protected]
