A catastrophic explosion levelled the staff accommodation building at Pyramid Riding Stables Saturday July 17, sending ten to hospital.

The blast occurred at 11:20, lighting up the night sky and casting flames into the trees. Insulation was thrown high into the branches, as the flames reached at least 20 feet above the structure.

The explosion blew the roof and three walls off of the staff accommodation building, and threw seven individuals out of the building. Two were rescued by firefighters and another was able to get himself out.

A guest at Pyramid stables pulled seven people away from the flaming staff accommodation. The man called 911 and moved the casualties out of harms way, while EMS crews treated them for shock, broken bones, cuts and bruises before they were taken to hospital.

“The quick action of a civilian saved lives,” said RCMP Sgt. Steve Pavlov.

Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem said his crew quickly extracted two other people from the building. Firefighters used a rescue saw to cut through the debris in a harrowing rescue through one of the hottest parts of the building.

“The guys got two out in extremely difficult conditions. The fire was on top of them,” Van Tighem said.

The 10 casualties were taken to Seton General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, however at least three people were taken by helicopter to Edmonton University Hospital with head injuries.

“They are all very lucky to be alive,” said Jasper National Park warden Darien Sillence.

At the scene, none of the casualties remembered the explosion. The nature of the blast indicated it was a gas explosion, and the building is connected to a large propane tank.

The cause of the explosion is unknown, but Sgt. Pavlov said firefighters shut down a large propane tank when they arrived on scene, which is standard practise. Determining the ignition point of gas explosions is difficult, Van Tighem said.

Other residents away at the time of the blast were in tears after discovering their home engulfed in flames, as they scrambled for answers. Victim services was on scene to provide support.

Every available emergency responder from the fire department, EMS, RCMP and Parks Canada arrived on scene. With so many unknown factors, crews had to work quickly to keep everyone safe and contain the blaze to one building.

“It was pandemonium. There were a lot of unknowns,” Van Tighem said.

A truck had to be towed away from the fire, and a garage next to staff accomodation full of gasoline and other explosive substances had to be emptied.

“Our concern was the other structures. We didn't want the fire to spread to the shop building and the gazebo, which is all lumber,” Van Tighem said.

Fire crews also kept the blaze from spreading in the forest. There were several locations where the fire threatened to spread into the forest, Van Tighem said.

Since there is no fire hydrant on Pyramid Lake Road, fire crews had to use the hydrant at the base of the hill a few kilometres away to fill their pumper trucks. A relay system was set up between the town and the fire a few kilometres from town.

A second garage beside the staff accommodation also caught fire, however crews were able to save the other structures, including a hay barn next to the burning building. All of the horses were also moved to a separate paddock as a safety precaution, and were in no danger, Pavlov said, however one dog was killed in the blast.

The fire is still under investigation, and the provincial fire inspector will be brought in to determine the exact cause of the blaze.