One person is in hospital in serious condition with burns to the majority of his body after a giant boiler exploded at a government heating facility at Lebreton Flats.
Ottawa paramedics say a 51-year-old male worker suffered second-degree burns to 50 to 60 per cent of his body, as well as a laceration to his head, following an explosion at 1 Fleet St. at about midday on Monday.
"I believe he was hit by a piece of metal or pipe to the head," said J.P. Trottier, spokesperson for the Ottawa paramedics.
Two others were also injured in the explosion. A 51-year-old male was treated for first-degree burns to his face and arm. A third male was treated for minor scrapes and bruises. Both men are in hospital in stable condition.
Although 27 people were working inside the building at the time of the incident, the facility was evacuated by the time paramedics arrived on scene.
The force of the explosion ripped a crack through the side of the plant, making the whole structure potentially unsafe. Structural engineers are currently assessing the facility to determine if it's at risk of collapsing.
The plant, which was built about 100 years ago, provides heat and ventilation to many federal buildings on Parliament Hill. Those buildings are currently being heated by a back-up system.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr
