'It's horrific': Calgary house explosion injures 10 people
Ten people were injured in an explosion in Calgary on Monday that completely destroyed one home and damaged 10 more.
Firefighters were called to 783 Maryvale Way N.E., in the community of Marlborough, at around 8:50 a.m. by those in the neighbourhood who felt the blast.
Most of those who were injured are believed to have been from the home where the explosion occurred, according to the Calgary Fire Department.
"Paramedics did transport a total of 10 individuals to local hospitals," said Adam Loria, Calgary EMS spokesperson. "I can confirm that there were no children involved, all were adults."
Loria says six of the 10 were considered to be in life-threatening condition, while the remaining four were in non-life-threating condition.
"Though they did sustain serious injuries as well," he added.
Calgary fire chief Steve Dongworth says in addition to leveling the home where the explosion occurred, two other homes caught fire and eight more were damaged.
"It's horrific, thinking about what that was like for the residents of the home and the surrounding homes in this community. (It's a) terrible event, and it's shocking."
At the height of the fire department's response, Dongworth says 21 apparatus were on scene.
'SO SCARED': NEIGHBOURS REACT
"It looked like the house just blew up," said area resident Chelsea Todd, who was one of the first to run over to help.
"We just started grabbing people. There was a gentleman, we put him on the sidewalk, and we were trying to ask him if there were more people in the house, but he didn't speak English, and he was just crying and screaming."
"We noticed more cries, there were two gentlemen that were … Trying to crawl out of the basement."
Todd says it was then that the house next door caught fire.
"And there was a lady who was stuck in there, so we were trying to break the window of the house because she couldn't get the door open."
Todd says after that, she rushed to another house and helped the man inside get out safely.
Crystal Cole, who lives nearby, says she was in the washroom with her youngest son when the explosion shook their house.
"I thought something hit my house, we didn't know exactly what it was," she said.
"I was so scared, I honestly thought something hit my house – that's how loud it was, that's how bad it was."
Cole said she looked outside expecting to see a car had struck her residence, but there was nothing there.
"It was scary, scared all my kids."
Craig Chandler, who lives a block and a half away, says he was watching TV in the basement when the explosion happened.
"I actually thought something landed on my roof. The power went out immediately," he said.
"Next thing you know, we heard fire trucks coming, and then I went out on my front lawn and saw the smoke and everything. I could see the flames from my house."
Enmax shut down power to the area and ATCO shut down the natural gas line.
Fire crews at the scene say they believe that everyone inside the home was able to get out safely, but they have not yet managed to reach the basement of the source home.
The CFD expects to remain at the scene overnight.
The fire department is asking anybody who has video, photos or information on the incident to email piofire@calgary.ca.
Calgary police say arson investigators will be working closely with the Calgary Fire Department to determine if the fire is criminal in nature.
With files from Austin Lee
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.