Six Edgerton firefighters were injured in a explosion during a controlled burn last night, according to
The Edmonton Journal.
One man was airlifted to an Edmonton hospital, while five others were taken to the health centre in Wainwright for treatment. The extent of the firefighters' injuries was not known.
The vacant structure had been used several times by the department for training purposes, according to the report.
"This time the owner of the house asked if they wouldn't mind burning the house completely down because he wanted to get rid of it," Wainwright Fire and Rescue Chief Steve Douglas said.
He stated that crews took every precaution to the secure the house, that was set on fire at approximately 8 p.m.
"The house was fully involved for approximately 15 minutes when there was a huge explosion," he said. The force of the blast was strong enough that debris were thrown in every direction.
Douglas said there shouldn't have been any fuel in the house that would have caused an explosion. Investigators have not determined a cause and will continue their investigation today.
