Montreal classroom explosion injures 10

Source = www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1111715156535_18/?hub=Canada

Canadian Press

MONTREAL — Ten people were injured Thursday after an explosion rocked a woodworking class, caving in a ceiling and toppling part of a wall.

An ambulance official said four of the victims were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from fractures to head trauma. Two men and two teenagers were among those hospitalized, he said, adding none of the injuries was life-threatening. The school closed after the incident.

Other people may have suffered from smoke inhalation, said Steve Morissette, a Montreal police spokesman.

The accident occurred at Cavalier-de-LaSalle school in southwestern Montreal.

Fire official Aime Charette said the explosion was likely caused by a machine that collects sawdust from the shop tools.

"On arrival we noticed there was an explosion in a carpentry shop," he said.

"There were several cinderblock walls that were disintegrated by the force of the explosion."

A student who didn't give his name said he and a teacher smelled smoke before the explosion.

"Everyone was panicking," said the student.

"I looked up and I saw a plume of smoke. So we just ran out after that and everyone was pushing, screaming. You could hardly see anything there."

Television news footage showed blown-out windows and students and teachers gathered outside the school while firefighters worked inside.

The fire department said the blast caused major damage.
(posted 4/23/05)