Red Deer, Alberta — An explosion followed by a fire at a bus terminal in Red Deer injured five employees on Thursday afternoon, sparking an immediate response from emergency services. The incident occurred at the Prairie Bus Lines facility located in the industrial section of the city near 53 Avenue and 54 Street.
Upon receiving reports of the explosion at 3:21 p.m., local fire departments acted swiftly to quell the ensuing blaze. Alberta Health Services confirmed that all injured parties were transported to the hospital for urgent care.
An Alberta Health Services spokesperson provided an update on the condition of the victims on Friday. According to the spokesperson, two of the individuals are in critical condition, two others are in serious but stable condition, and one has been stabilized.
Local authorities, alongside fire investigators, have initiated an investigation into the cause of the explosion, which they believe originated inside the terminal building. This incident led to a brief power outage in the surrounding area as safety crews worked to secure the scene and extinguish the fire.
The city of Red Deer’s official website noted that despite the severity of the incident, no other buildings were affected. This swift containment is credited to the rapid response and coordinated efforts of the city’s emergency services.
As investigators continue to sift through the evidence and conduct interviews with eyewitnesses and company employees, the community is left anxious for answers about what triggered this dangerous incident.
Officials have not released further details about the ongoing investigation or any potential factors contributing to the explosion. However, they emphasized the importance of rigorous safety standards and emergency preparedness in preventing similar occurrences.
Community members have expressed their concern and are eagerly awaiting the results of the investigation, hoping for improvements and measures that will enhance safety in their industrial zones.
In the meantime, support has poured in from across Alberta, highlighting the tight-knit community’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity. As the victims recover, the broader community remains hopeful for not only their swift recovery but also for actionable steps to prevent future incidents.