February 20, 2013

Fort Saskatchewan explosion kills one worker and injures two others

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

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A gas explosion ripped through a residential construction site in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. on February 21st, killing one worker and injuring two others.

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) officers in Alberta are investigating the cause of a gas explosion that killed one worker and critically injured two others at a residential construction site in Fort Saskatchewan.

“Yesterday at about 1:15 p.m., a gas fitter was working at a new home under construction, when an explosion occurred,” said Alberta Occupational health and safety officer, Lisa Glover.

“The Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and police officers responded to the scene. STARS (Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society) transported two injured workers and ground ambulance transported another to hospital with burns. One of the workers succumbed to his injuries and two other are in critical condition.”

The incident took place at 140 Allard Way in the Southpointe neighbourhood on Feb. 21.

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Deputy fire chief Bill Heesing said the injured workers were out of the house by the time the fire department arrived and they have no information on the extent of their injuries.

Fire crews remained on scene to investigate the incident and determined that the cause of the explosion was a gas leak in the basement of the unoccupied single family dwelling.

The explosion was strong enough to blow out the front window, blow out the two sides of the house onto the neighbouring homes. It also blew out a rear wall.

The neighbouring homes, both unoccupied, have some exterior siding damage.

The injured workers are employed by Wil-Flow Plumbing and Heating, which is the plumbing and mechanical contractor on the project. The prime contractor is Rose Croft.

The Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department has turned the scene over to OH&S officers, who will investigate the incident.

A stop work order has been issued for the construction site.

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