CAPREOL, ONTARIO – A dramatic drone footage captured the terrifying moment when a building in Capreol exploded on January 24th, injuring three volunteer firefighters from the local station. The video, recorded by a resident, shows the firefighters in front of the building just before it explodes, causing sections of the front exterior to collapse nearby.
As of the most recent update, one firefighter has been discharged from the hospital, while two remain hospitalized for observation. The City of Greater Sudbury’s spokesperson confirmed the conditions of the injured firefighters.
The incident occurred as firefighters were attempting to extinguish a blaze at a Young Street apartment building, which resulted in a smoke explosion knocking the firefighters to the ground. They sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Describing the phenomena as a smoke explosion, authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and the Greater Sudbury Police Services have launched a joint investigation to determine the source of the fire.
The explosion resulted in the temporary displacement of several local residents and caused significant damage to the buildings involved. The impact of the fire has led to a shutdown of a nearby route. Thankfully, all residents have been accounted for and are uninjured, though some are unable to return to their homes due to the damage sustained. The extent of structural damage to the affected buildings is still being assessed, and the timeline for residents to return is uncertain.
The incident has raised questions about the safety protocols and measures in place for volunteer firefighters, prompting further collaboration between local detectives and the Ministry of Labour to address the injuries sustained by the firefighters. The community is reeling from the impact of the fire and continues to await further updates regarding the investigation and the recovery efforts.