Explosion at Vancouver Island military base injures 10
At least 10 people were injured after an explosion rocked a Vancouver Island military base Thursday.
The explosion at Canadian Forces Base Comox shook the nearby civilian airport and rattled windows as far as a kilometre away.
"Our focus right now is on assisting our injured personnel," Lt.-Col. Mike Juillet told reporters at the base Thursday.
BC Emergency Health Services says multiple ambulances, including an air ambulance, responded to the base.
As of early Thursday afternoon, 10 people were treated by paramedics, including one person who was airlifted to hospital in serious condition.
Three patients were taken to hospital by ambulance in stable condition, and six more were treated by military base medics.
Emergency crews are on scene near where a building that was under renovations appears to have partially collapsed. (CTV News)
The explosion occurred inside a historic barracks building that was under renovation and has partially collapsed in the blast.
It is believed the explosion was fuelled by natural gas, but Juillet said the cause had not yet been confirmed.
'SMOKE AND DEBRIS FLYING EVERYWHERE'
Brenda Cardinal was exercising in the base recreation centre around 9 a.m. when the building shook with the force of the explosion.
"It actually shook the treadmill," said the retired sergeant. "And then we came out and you could see right across there was a lot of smoke happening."
Emergency crews are on scene near where a building that was under renovations appears to have partially collapsed. (CTV News)
Another witness who was inside the Comox Valley Airport terminal tells CTV News the blast flung debris and shook pictures off the walls.
"I heard an explosion and it rattled the building and I turned and looked and saw a huge plume of smoke and debris flying everywhere," said Don Catling, who was servicing equipment inside the airport at the time.
David Little, who lives approximately one kilometre from the base, said he heard two sharp blasts in close succession around 9 a.m.
"It shook the house, shook the windows," Little said. "We came down to have a look and make sure everyone is all right."
No aircraft were damaged in the blast, and flight operations were unaffected, according to base staff.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.