Family, friends to remember Edra Haan, found dead at Kitchener house explosion

Family and friends will gather Wednesday morning to remember the woman found dead at the scene of a house explosion a week ago.

Edra Haan, 58, was found in the backyard of 56 Sprucedale Cres., which exploded just after 8 a.m. on Aug. 22.

Edra Haan's death has been ruled a homicide.

The private service will be held at the Henry Walser Funeral Home in Kitchener.

Her obituary said she's a mother of two, a sister and aunt and she will be "fondly remembered by her many relatives and friends."

In tributes on the funeral home's website, family friends said Haan was "a lovely soul" and a proud mother.

"I am so grateful to have had Edra in my life for all these years and will miss her so much," one woman wrote.

"Your laughter so infectious that it could make the saddest soul smile; and that unique, amazing twinkle in your eyes they shone of joy and mischievous, and of sincerity and kindness," another woman wrote.

Fire officials, police continue investigations

Meanwhile, the on-scene investigation into a fatal house explosion in Kitchener has wrapped up, but work by police and fire officials continue behind the scenes. The blast obliterated the home and damaged three neighbouring homes. As well, 16 other homes along the street were evacuated for at least 24 hours.

Two people were found in the backyard of the home following the explosion: Edra Haan and 58-year-old Udo Haan.

Fire officials completed their work at the scene on Sunday evening and equipment has been removed. Samples taken from the site have been sent to the Centreof Forensic Science in Toronto for the Ontario Fire Marshall's office to continue the investigation into the cause of the explosion.

City of Kitchener officials say it's unknown how long that investigation will take.

"Our focus is now on supporting this neighbourhood in recovering from this traumatic event," Colleen Collins, manager of corporate communications for Kitchener, told CBC News.

That includes asking people who don't live on Sprucedale Crescent to keep away from it and not go to look at the scene unnecessarily.

Cherri Greeno, spokesperson for Waterloo Regional Police Service, said the man taken to hospital following the explosion is in serious condition and remains in intensive care.

She said the scene has been released by police and the investigation is ongoing.