Man goes missing after escaping from explosion, fire at Richmond Hill home
Police are searching for a “vulnerable” young man last seen exiting a burning home in Richmond Hill, Ont.
A release issued Thursday said an explosion and subsequent fire occurred at a residential property on March 20 on Deerwood Crescent.
Investigators allege that Daniel Popov, 21, was last seen leaving the home at 12:50 p.m. after the incident. They say they believe Popov was the sole occupant of the house at the time.
“Daniel was witnessed in the area following the incident, but he did not return to the house and has not contacted his family,” police said.
“Police do not believe Daniel was injured, but share his family’s concerns for his well-being.”
Popov is described as six-foot-one and 170 lbs, with short blonde hair. Police say he was last seen wearing a black hoodie, a gray jacket, and dark sweatpants dark shoes with white trim.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown at this time, police said. They confirm that Ontario’s Fire Marshal has been notified and is involved in the case.
Police are asking witnesses, anyone with potential security footage of the incident, and anyone with relevant information to contact them at 1-866-876-5423 ext.7241.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.

Special rapporteur David Johnston’s office hired crisis communications firm Navigator
Special rapporteur David Johnston has hired crisis communications firm Navigator, his office confirmed on Friday.
Here's what Nova Scotia's wildfires look like from outer space
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
Air Canada should face more consequences after two disruptions in a week, consumer advocate says
An airline consumer advocate says Air Canada should face tougher consequences for stranding passengers after two disruptions in a week.
Canada's 'unprecedented' fire season linked to climate change, will be the new normal: scientists
At the moment, wildfires are burning across six provinces and one territory in Canada — and they’re still spreading in what’s being called an unprecedented fire season. While firefighters work tirelessly to battle the merciless flames and prevent further destruction, scientists say the wildfires are linked to climate change and that this will be the new normal.
'Utterly disgusting': Canadian Army sergeant fined for 'anti-Jewish' comments
A 38-year-old sergeant in the Canadian Army was fined $3,000 and issued a severe reprimand after he made what a military judge described as 'utterly disgusting' anti-Jewish comments while conducting an infantry training course in 2021.
Experts warn of 'rapid' growth of IBD as number of Canadians diagnosed set to reach 470K by 2035
The number of people in Canada with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly and is expected to grow to 470,000 by 2035, according to a new report from Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
'Many, many lives turned upside down' by wildfires: N.S. premier
Nova Scotia’s premier says the “historic” wildfires in the province have caused a “breath-taking amount of damage.”
Trudeau raises Poland's democratic backsliding as prime minister visits Toronto
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he raised concerns about reports that LGBTQ2S+ rights and democracy are under threat in Poland during a Friday visit with its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Toronto.