Incident Overview

On January 9, 2025, chaos erupted near downtown Red Deer when an explosion rocked a mechanic shop, leaving five people injured, two of whom suffered serious injuries. The incident took place at approximately 3:22 PM at Prairie Bus Lines, located at 5310 54 Street.

Emergency Response

Emergency services swiftly responded to the alarming situation, activating a second alarm that dispatched four fire engines, an aerial unit, ambulances, and law enforcement officials from the RCMP. Eyewitnesses reported distressing scenes of individuals fleeing the building enveloped in flames, although the assistant deputy fire chief, Cole Starling, could not confirm those details. He did confirm that five civilians—employees of the mechanic shop—were transported to the Red Deer Regional Hospital for treatment.

Firefighting Efforts

As firefighters worked to tame the blaze, residents were urged to steer clear of the area to allow emergency personnel to manage the situation effectively. Fortunately, initial reports indicated no injuries among the emergency responders.

Fire Status Updates

By around 4:10 PM, the fire had not yet been fully contained, but firefighters had significantly reduced the flames and were gaining control over the smoke. Fortunately, surrounding buildings did not require evacuation, and damage seemed limited to the structure of Prairie Bus Lines alone.

Investigation

In a later update around 7 PM, authorities confirmed that the fire was completely extinguished. Investigators from Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) were already en route to assess the situation. Starling mentioned that a thorough investigation into the fire's cause would commence once the site was deemed safe.

Community Response

Perry Goddard, executive director of Safe Harbour, a neighboring organization and emergency homeless shelter, shared how their staff and shelter guests were among the first responders, providing immediate assistance to the injured.

Conclusion

While the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, officials are delving deep into the investigation to determine if it holds any suspicious elements. Stay tuned for more updates and details as this story develops!