The parents of a man who died with two others at an arena in Fernie, B.C., say their son was just starting to 鈥済et his life back together鈥� as a refrigeration expert when 鈥渃atastrophe鈥� struck.
Jason Podloski, 47, died in an ammonia leak at Fernie Memorial Arena last Tuesday, after he was called in from Calgary to conduct emergency maintenance.
His parents, Donna and Peter Podloski, say Jason was a dedicated man who had just started to make a name for himself with a refrigeration business in Calgary. He was also a loving father of two young boys.
鈥淣o matter what you told him to do, he would do it. He would always find time for anybody,鈥� Peter Podloski told CTV Edmonton.
Donna Podloski says her son had worked for years as a guitarmaker, but changed career paths to become a refrigeration expert because of financial struggles. 鈥淗e had just started to get his life back together again,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he door just got shut in his face and I think that鈥檚 what bothers us the most.鈥�
Jason鈥檚 cousin, Mona Podloski, said he was a 鈥渢remendous father鈥� to his two young boys, ages 4 and under 1 year.
Investigators are still trying to piece together a timeline of events that led to the deaths of Podloski, 59-year-old Wayne Hornquist and 52-year-old Lloyd Smith. Hornquist and Smith were both residents of Fernie.
Nearly 100 residents are being permitted to return home today after investigators determined that there is no longer a danger to the public. The evacuees had been staying at a hotel since Wednesday.
The arena remains closed for the investigation.
Podloski鈥檚 father says he鈥檚 still at a loss to explain why his son died.
鈥淲hat happened there鈥� is beyond their control,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here was definitely a catastrophe that caught them off guard.鈥�
Podloski鈥檚 mother added that they are now planning his funeral and setting up a trust fund for his children.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a big hole in our heart,鈥� she said.
With files from CTV Edmonton and The Canadian Press
