Explosion at Manitoba propane distribution facility injures three

Firefighters in the RM of Taché were dispatched to a high-risk scenario after a fire broke out inside a propane distribution facility.

An explosion at a propane distribution facility southeast of Winnipeg left three people injured, including one who was transported to hospital by emergency air ambulance.

Deputy Chief Jason Kroeker with the Rural Municipality of Taché Fire Department said a call was received around 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon of an explosion with injuries.

RCMP confirmed the incident occurred on Road 42 East in the RM of Taché.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a burning structure containing roughly 100 propane tanks. Nearby were three large propane tanks, as well as an estimated 250 smaller tanks positioned around the building, Kroeker said.

Kroeker said two people were taken to the Health Sciences Centre for injuries — one by STARS Air Ambulance and the other by ground ambulance. A third person received medical care on scene and was released.

RCMP said they were all treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A spokesperson for Shared Health said the patient transported by STARS Air Ambulance was discharged later that day.

“It was a very complex, fast paced and very high-risk incident because of the propane we were dealing with,” Kroeker told CTV News Friday afternoon.

All three people were within the structure at the time of the explosion.

He said the fire crews from the Ste. Anne and Giroux were also called to assist. The fire was under control in about an hour, with crews on scene for approximately six hours, he said.

The 22-year veteran with the fire department described the incident as “very uncommon and exceptional,” adding that as many as 2,500 propane cylinders were in the area.

“Fortunately, we train, we prepare, and we were able to handle the incident without anything escalating further than it was when we arrived.”

Kroeker said he was unable to comment on the cause of the explosion as the investigation is ongoing by Workplace Safety and Health, the Office of the Fire Commissioner and the RCMP.