Five injured in worksite explosion northwest of Calgary

RCMP say an explosion at an energy site northwest of Calgary Monday seriously injured five workers.

Cpl. Gina Slaney says the five part of a crew that was drilling on a lease site at a field north of Cochrane on Monday afternoon when it’s believed they hit a gas pocket, triggering a large explosion.

She says it is anticipated the fire will burn for at least a week, but she says the area is isolated and no evacuation is underway.

HWN Energy Ltd. confirmed in an email that a “well control incident” occurred approximately eight kilometres north of Cochrane, and that the five who were injured were contractors.

EMS tell CityNews around 2:15 p.m., three people were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and two people were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Occupational Health and Safety officials are investigating the incident, according to RCMP.

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