Workers escape uninjured after blast at distillery in southeast Calgary

Employees of a distillery in southeast Calgary escaped without injury following a blast and fire on Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 1:20 p.m., fire crews responded to reports of an explosion at Alberta Distillers Limited, in the 1500 block of 34th Avenue S.E.

In a release, officials said the smoke plume could be seen from the Highfield 16 Fire Station, several blocks from the incident. 

Around 100 employees were evacuated from the site as per their emergency protocol prompted by the activation of the fire alarm system. 

"One employee was reported to be in the building where the explosion occurred but escaped without incident," the fire department said in a release. 

"No injuries were reported as a result of this explosion and resulting fire."

Officials said the explosion occurred in an area of the complex called the "dry house area," or "brewing area," in the ductwork located on the roof. 

Damage from the explosion appears to be limited to a large vessel and ductwork on the roof.

"The building's fire suppression system activated and started working as intended, successfully containing the fire to the area of origin," officials said.

A Calgary Fire Department investigator was on the scene to determine the origin and cause of the blast.