Editor’s note: This story originally said a shed exploded. However, firefighters later said it was a garage that exploded.
Two people were taken to hospital in stable condition after a garage exploded in north Edmonton on Friday.
At around 5:45 p.m., fire, police and EMS crews were called to the area of 97A Street and 147 Avenue.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services district chief Todd Weiss said his crews arrived to a collapsed single-detached garage in the back yard. Alberta Health Services said it transported two adults to hospital in stable condition.
A view from the Global 1 news helicopter shortly before 6 p.m. showed debris spread around the yard. There were no flames or smoke coming from the rubble.
“When they arrived on scene there was no fire,” Weiss said.
He said propane tanks were found in the area, but they were intact. Bomb investigators were also called to the site, Weiss said.
“I can confirm that the bomb squad is on scene.”
The home on the property where the explosion happened sustained damage, including broken windows. Other homes were also damaged. Residents from three homes were displaced and it wasn’t known whether they would be able to return Friday night.
“We can confirm that adjacent houses are damaged and the Edmonton Emergency Response Team has been called to support three displaced people and one dog from the adjacent homes,” Weiss said.
Shortly after 8 p.m., Weiss said fire crews were waiting for police to conduct their investigation before moving onto the affected site.
“We’re not within what we call the ‘hot zone.’ We’re a couple of houses away,” he said. “You just never know what they’re going to find when they conduct their investigation. EPS will do their thing and you just don’t know what they’re going to find so that’s why we play it safe.”
Global News received several calls from area residents who said they felt their homes shake.
Lynne Pretty lives behind the property and said she was in the hallway talking to her son’s coach when the explosion took place.
“All of a sudden we heard this big, ‘boom!’ It was crazy. We didn’t know what happened,” she said. “The only thing we heard after the boom was glass smashing. A picture in the kitchen fell off the wall.
“We were scared. We were all really scared. We jumped a foot in the air, our dog went crazy. My husband was actually leaning against the wall here, with the dog on the stairs so he felt it through his back and into his chest.”
Pretty’s home was not damaged. However, fellow Griesbach resident Roxy Doctor — who also lives behind the affected property — said a wall in her home shifted slightly, exposing finishing nails.
“That was too close to home. It actually was just a little bit shocking with regards to the proximity,” she said as she looked out her window.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
Comments