Vancouver Island Fire: Gas Station Erupts After Car Hits Fuel Pump

Fire destroyed a Comox gas station over the weekend.

“It was quite a large fire, of course. We understand it’s always going to be challenging but we have a strong focus on training in the fire department so we’re ready for these kind of events. We had a really rapid professional response. We had a relatively quick knock down of the fire and controlled that fire,” said Captain Pascal Lafreniere with Comox Fire Rescue.

“And everyone was safe, which is the most important part. The first responders were safe and it was limited to minor injuries.”

It started around 7pm Saturday night after a car crashed into the pumps at the Esso on Anderson Road.

Several people in the surrounding area were evacuated as multiple explosions were heard - and plumes of black smoke seen throughout the Valley was causing air quality concerns.

Comox Mayor Nicole Minions issued a statement saying preliminary reports indicated there were no serious injuries, although at least two people were taken to hospital in stable condition.

Minions thanked the Comox Fire Department for its work, along with Cumberland Fire Department and RCMP, who assisted.

The investigation continues and there is no word on charges, or what caused the car to crash into the pump to begin with.