UPDATED: Cause of explosion at Selkirk College remains under investigation
By Lone Sheep Publishing
Selkirk College said the incident Thursday afternoon at the Silver King Campus in Nelson was the result of two acetylene gas tanks exploding.
“Just after 1:30 pm on Thursday, February 8, two acetylene gas tanks exploded outside the North Trades Building on the Silver King Campus in Nelson,” the media release said on the Selkirk College website.
“There are no reported injuries due to the explosions.”
Selkirk College said was as a result of the explosion, the the North and South Trades Buildings were evacuated with the cause of the two separate explosions is currently under investigation.
Selkirk College said FortisBC was contacted and has shut down gas to the impacted areas.
“Nelson Fire & Rescue Services has secured the scene and will be returning tomorrow to investigate,” Selkirk College said.
“Security will be on site over the next 24 hours. WorkSafeBC will be conducting a full investigation of the situation in the coming days.”
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services deployed 17 firefighters and two Chief Officers to the incident along with two fire engines, one ladder truck, one tender truck and two utility vehicles.
“Heavy black smoke and fire was observed coming from an exterior compound with a metal roof structure tying it to the Main Automotive trades building,” Nelson Fire and Rescue Services explained what crews found on arrival.
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said that Selkirk staff advised crews that there were no injuries and the building was evacuated.
“Knowing that the first arriving crew’s primary objective was protect the main Automotive Trades building and do a direct attack on the fire,” Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said.
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services are currently on scene at Selkirk College Rosemont campus after explosions rocked the school. — Photo courtesy Paul Williamson
Selkirk College said the following areas will be closed Friday, February 9, 2024, to students and employees:
- North Trades Building
- South Trades Building
- Carpentry Building
- Maintenance Building
Impacted students and employers with contract training scheduled will be contacted. Employees scheduled to work in these locations should contact their supervisors.
The following areas remain open:
- Classroom Block
- Student Commons
- Silver King Childcare Centre
Selkirk College would like to thank all first responders who acted quickly to ensure that the situation was brought under control.
Selkirk College said employees and students initiated proper evacuation protocols that helped guarantee the safety of all involved.
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Explosions rock Selkirk College Silver King Campus in Rosemont
There has been a series of explosions Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the Rosemont Silver King Campus of Selkirk College in Nelson.
A resident who lives across the street from the vocational campus of Selkirk College said there were “two huge explosions” at the Rosemont Campus.
The explosions are possibly being linked to propane tanks outside the Trades Buildings.
Selkirk College is reporting on social media that the Trades Buildings at the Silver King Campus are currently being evacuated, as well as local residents asked to be on alert.
There are no injuries being reported by Selkirk College.
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services and First Responders, including Nelson Police Department and Dr. Nick Sparrow of KERPA (Kootenay Emergency Response Physicians Association) are currently on scene.
Silver King Campus, located at 2001 Silver King Road in Nelson, is home to programming in the School of Industry & Trades Training, School of Academic Upgrading & Development and Community Education & Workplace Training.
More to come when details become available.
First responder vehicles line the entrance roadway into Selkirk College following explosions in the Trades Shops. — The Nelson Daily photo
Students and faculty wait in the muster areas following a series of explosions at Silver King Campus of Selkirk College Thursday afternoon. — The Nelson Daily photo
