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
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.