A burst TC Energy pipeline sparked a fire near Edson, Alta.

CALGARY — A natural gas pipeline owned by TC Energy Corp ruptured and caught fire near Edson, Alta., on Tuesday.

The Calgary-based pipeline operator confirmed the explosion in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

“We work closely with first responders in the region, including the RCMP, Yellowhead County and Alberta Wildfire,” the company said.

“The original natural gas ignition at the site of the explosion has now been extinguished. We are working to support Alberta Wildfire in their response to prevent a secondary fire.”

TC Energy Corp said in a statement earlier in the day that an “incident” was reported at about 11 a.m. Tuesday on the NGTL pipeline system in Yellowhead County, about 40 kilometers northwest of Edson and 55 kilometers northeast of Hinton.

The company said the affected section of the pipeline had been isolated and shut down and there were no reports of injuries.

But Charlotte Charbonneau, regional information coordinator for Alberta Forestry and Parks, said the pipeline incident sparked a wildfire in the area, which was 10 hectares in size by afternoon.

Charbonneau said the fire did not threaten any communities and Alberta Wildfire has 12 wildland firefighters and eight pieces of heavy equipment. Air tankers and a helicopter also came to help.

“The fire is still classified as out of control, but firefighters are making really good progress,” he said.

“They will continue to work until dark trying to contain the fire and then resume work in the morning.”

Charbonneau said the current state of dry grass in the Edson area means wildfires can ignite and burn quickly. Any spark, hot gas or friction near dry vegetation can start a wildfire, he said.

TC Energy's NGTL pipeline system transports natural gas from Alberta and northeastern BC to domestic and export markets. The system is 24,631 kilometers long and connects with TC Energy's Canadian Trunk System, the Foothills System and other third-party pipelines.

While some TC Energy customers were temporarily affected while the affected pipeline segment was isolated, the company said Tuesday afternoon that the rest of its system was operating normally.

“There are currently no commercial impacts. We will continue to communicate directly with customers,” the company said.

“We are working closely with regulators and authorities and will cooperate with the investigation of this incident.”

Yellowhead County said in a statement posted on its website that the gas is not leaking from the pipeline and does not pose a risk to the public.

The county said it was determined to be “pipe related,” but the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada sent an investigator to the scene.

TC Energy said it will provide more information on Tuesday's explosion as it becomes available.

On Tuesday, the company's stock price fell two percent to $48.60 per share.

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 16, 2024.

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Amanda Stevenson, The Canadian Press