10 injured in explosion at CFB Comox air force base on Vancouver Island

Ten people were injured in an explosion at an air force base on Vancouver Island Thursday morning.

BC Emergency Health Services said it was called to the blast at the 19 Wing CFB Comox air force base around 9:15 a.m.

Six patients were treated at the base’s military medical unit, while three were taken to hospital in stable condition.

One person was airlifted to hospital in the 442 Squadron CH-149 Cormorant helicopter with a critical care paramedic team.

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B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said that emergency responders and staff with FortisBC, which supplies natural gas, were deployed to the site.

The explosion occurred in a barrack building that was under renovation at the time, and did not damage any aircraft or flight facilities.

Acting Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre took to Twitter Thursday, the head of Canada’s military, took to Twitter to say his thoughts were with the injured.

“I wish them a rapid recovery and thank first responders, emergency services and personnel for their rapid actions in assisting the injured and securing the situation,” he wrote.

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