Fire continues to burn after explosion near Cochrane that left 5 seriously hurt

A fire continues to burn northwest of Calgary one day after an explosion at a well site that left five people with serious injuries.

HWN Energy Ltd. says it is taking measures to manage the fire, located about eight kilometres north of Cochrane, that was still burning as of Tuesday afternoon.

“We consider the fire contained to the surface lease,” reads an update from the company. “Additional air monitors have been brought to the site to supplement existing monitoring and to evaluate any environmental risks and public safety.”

All non-essential workers have been evacuated from the immediate area.

RCMP confirmed the explosion at an energy site injured five workers, three of them seriously.

Cpl. Gina Slaney says the five were part of a crew that was drilling on a lease site 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 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.

“We will continue to keep the public informed and update our website as the situation progresses and more information becomes available,” the company says.

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

With files from The Canadian Press