The Ottawa Catholic School Board is facing charges under the fire code for the explosion that killed Mother Teresa student Eric Leighton in May.

Ottawa Fire Services charged the board on July 17 with one count of welding or cutting operations undertaken in a totally closed container.

The maximum fine for that offence is $100,000.

Eric's father said he hasn't really been kept up-to-date with the proceedings.

"It means someone has to pay for a mistake that never should have happened," said Patrick Leighton. "Hopefully the carelessness will never happen again."

Eric, age 18, was killed May 26 after the drum he was working on in class exploded.

The case will next appear in court Dec. 12 for a preliminary hearing.