Update: Hamilton police have charged the homeowner, 76 year old Murdoch Campbell with arson.

A man has been taken to hospital after being pulled from a collapsed home on Gibson ave. in Hamilton.

The explosion happened shortly after 2:00 p.m. Emergency crews arrived on scene to find that a man and his dog trapped inside.  The man, who is in his 60’s and partially blind, was stuck for over an hour as the Hamilton Fire Department worked to rescue him. He was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries. His dog was found later in the evening.

The man’s daughter was on scene and said her father was awake and talking after being rescued from the home.

The exact cause of the explosion is still unknown and a handful of homes in the neighbourhood have been evacuated. Gas has also been shut off between Sherman and Birch and Princess to Canon.

The public has been asked to stay away from the area of Gibson and Cannon.