Fundamental questions about the exact cause and origin of a 2021 explosion inside Windsor Assembly Plant remain unanswered, court heard Monday as several witnesses testified at the trial of a former contract worker accused in connection with the blast.
James Harris, 37, is charged in relation to an explosion that occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2021, inside a second-floor storage area at the sprawling automotive manufacturing complex.
The trial began early April before Justice Bruce Thomas at Ontario Superior Court in Windsor.
Windsor police Sgt. Warren Levack, the lead explosive disposal unit officer on the case, told court investigators were unable to determine the exact origin point, or “seat,” of the explosion.
Levack said he was called to the plant after reports of an explosion. When he arrived, he said, he was taken to the storage area where the incident was believed to have occurred.
He described debris, garbage and damaged materials scattered throughout the area. He directed officers to photograph the area before anything was moved and said no additional explosive devices or threats were located.
Among the items immediately seized were custom extension cords plugged into a 24-hour Sunbeam timer, he said. One end of the wire had been stripped, exposing copper wiring, and the cords had been connected together.
Under cross-examination, Levack acknowledged the wires showed no burn marks or fire-related damage.
He said investigators typically look for a “seat” of an explosion — an area where debris projects outward from a central point or where burn damage is concentrated — but it could not be located.
Levack explained some gas explosions can disperse debris without leaving obvious burn patterns.
“You could fill it (gas) into a bag, set them off, and they’ll break things and throw them without leaving a burn on the ground,” he testified.
Court also heard that Levack initially seized a McDonald’s cup from the scene because of apparent burn marks and concerns it may have contained accelerant, though later determined it was insignificant.
Levack testified he located an inflated yellow bag and began to suspect it may have contained explosive gas, though he acknowledged he could not scientifically confirm his observation.
Concerned the bag could still contain explosive gas, Levack said he cleared the area and triple-bagged the item before transporting it to an OPP office in Bolton, Ont., for further testing.
Court heard testing conducted on the timer and wire found the setup was unable to generate enough heat to create an explosion. Levack said the device immediately tripped a breaker during testing.
Levack was also involved in the execution of a search warrant related to the investigation at a Drouillard Road residence on Nov. 17, 2021.
