Crews respond to explosion, fire at encampment in SE Calgary industrial area

Firefighters put out a fire after an explosion at an encampment in southeast Calgary on Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency crews were called to a green space in an industrial area near Manitou Road SE around 3:20 p.m. after getting reports of a loud bang and dark smoke.

Fire crews arrived and found a tent and other items on fire, including propane tanks, near a railway line.

Crews got the fire under control at 3:40 p.m. and remained at the scene for some time after doing salvage and overhaul work.

“Propane tanks are common at encampments,” says Calgary fire spokesperson Carol Henke. “Unfortunately, there is a fire risk if they are not handled properly.”

No one was at the encampment when crews arrived and no injuries were reported.