Ten people were injured Thursday morning when a natural gas explosion rocked 19 Wing Comox air force base.
The explosion happened about 9:30 a.m. in a former barracks building that was under renovation.
B.C. Emergency Health Services said ground and air ambulances responded, and one patient in serious condition was flown to hospital with a critical-care paramedic team in a 442 Squadron Cormorant helicopter.
Three other patients were taken to hospital and are in stable condition, said emergency health services. Another six were treated at the base by medical personnel.
It isn’t immediately clear what caused the blast, but it’s believed to have involved a natural gas line. The explosion could be heard all over the Comox Valley and there are reports it rattled windows. The old barracks building was partially collapsed.
Lt.-Col. Mike Juillet said the focus now is on assisting injured personnel.
He said the incident is under investigation and no aircraft were affected by the explosion, with operations continuing.
Capt. Brad Little said Thursday afternoon that experts were using acoustic equipment on the rubble of the explosion site. “We want to make sure all of our personnel are accounted for,” he said.
The area of the explosion lost power and some areas of the base are on emergency backup power, said Little.
Emergency crews were at the scene, including 19 Wing firefighters and the Comox Fire Department.
Helicopter crews from the Comox base were involved earlier this week in rescuing stranded drivers caught in mudslides in mountain passes on the Lower Mainland.
