EDMONTON - Eight people were blown out of a Jasper, Alta., staff residence by a powerful blast that left two others trapped under flaming rubble.
All 10 are in hospital, but have non-life threatening injures.
“If you believe in (miracles), that would be an appropriate word,” said Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland after visiting the scene.
Every emergency responder in the mountain town — firefighters, cops, paramedics and national park crews — converged on the Pyramid Riding Stables, about 4 km north of Jasper, at 11:20 p.m. Saturday.
Ten people were inside a propane-fuelled staff bunkhouse when it exploded, said Jasper fire Chief Greg Van Tighem.
Eight were shot clear out of the building, while two were trapped under burning debris.
The blast obliterated the roof and three walls of the structure.
“It was pandemonium everywhere,” said Van Tighem.
Bystanders pulled some survivors a safe distance from the ensuing blaze.
Firefighters then rushed toward the flames to cut two employees free from the wreckage, he said.
“They had flames right on top of them the whole time,” said Van Tighem. “They did a tremendous job.”
Three victims were flown to hospital in Edmonton, while the others were rushed to Jasper hospital.
Talisa Chelick, who identifies herself as a ranch employee, posted about the blast on her Facebook Sunday.
“Exploding houses got nothing on me ... 2 broken legs with surgery to come,” she said.
Firefighters then turned their attention to saving two nearby buildings.
Crews weren’t released until about 5:30 a.m. and hot spots were doused into the afternoon Sunday.
“It was very busy for a while, but everything worked out in the end,” said Van Tighem.
Isabel, who didn’t give her last name, heard a shattering boom from her home at the west edge of Jasper.
“I thought something exploded outside my house. It was just a really loud blast,” she said.
She was even more shocked by the damage she saw at the scene the next day.
“There was insulation way up in the trees. Just unbelievable,” she said.
Ireland said the devastation at the scene is striking.
“I’m absolutely sure it will be with (the victims) forever,” he said.
The victims are most likely young people, as thousands flood into the community to work tourism jobs.
“They could be from anywhere in the world,” he said.
Ireland said he believed Australians and Czechs were among the ranch employees.
Ranch officials refused to comment.
“I’m sure they’ll get support not just from their peers, but the whole community,” said Ireland.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
richard.liebrecht@sunmedia.ca
