Nearly a year after a fatal home explosion on Windsor’s east side, charges have now been laid.

44-year-old Alipio Gaspar was the supervisor of a construction crew doing sewer work in the 1000 block of Esdras Place, last March.

Staff Sargent Gerry Corriveau says the supervisor was told about the smell of natural gas by some of his crew, but ignored it.

“Depending on when you place the actual leak, anywhere between nine and noon. And the explosion’s not until four,” says Corriveau. “Mr.Nelson arrives home, probably comes home to a cold house because the gas line was severed. Probably went downstairs to check why his furnace wasn’t lit, and boom.” Corriveau says the gas line was stretched beyond its capacity and ruptured.

The March 24th explosion killed 75-year-old Ronald Nelson.

Gaspar will appear in court March 6th. The maximum sentence for criminal negligence causing death is life in prison.

Story by Mike James, Blackburn News.