EDMONTON -- Police say there is nothing criminal about an explosion in Strathcona County on Thursday.
It happened at a business near Highway 16 and Range Road 232 shortly after noon.
According to police, employees at ARS Trucking & Welding were cutting up a tanker for scrap when it exploded.
“All I saw was a big piece of silver thing go up in the air, flames straight up,” said Edward Smith who was working nearby.
“Maybe six seconds later just followed by a blast. Hit me in the chest. Feels like a football player trampled me to the ground. “
“I seen a bunch of smoke and pieces of the scrap metal go flying in the air,” said Jaqeen Rayan, a truck driver who was standing nearby. “I ran in my truck and then a bunch of other guys came out and we all ran across to go check and see if everyone was ok.”
A vehicle parked about 50 metres from the blast area sustained a broken window, but no injuries were reported.
People as far away as the Highlands neighbourhood in Edmonton reported feeling the blast.
Occupational Health and Safety is investigating.
