Bombardier has closed its research and development complex in Valcourt, Quebec following an overnight explosion late last week. Two employees were left with severe burns after the incident, including a security guard. Both were taken to a local hospital for treatment and remain in medically induced comas. According to reports, local police heard the explosion and saw a ball of fire shoot into the sky before seeing the two men run from the building. Police say the damage appears to have emanated from a research lab, but firefighters were able to quickly get the blaze under control. Law enforcement believes the fire was accidental, but a full-fledged investigation is currently underway.

The complex is under construction as part of expansion efforts, and some have speculated the blast could have been caused by the work. There's no indication as to when the facility will reopen for business. In the interim, Bombardier has established a phone hotline to give employees and their family members information and support.

Bombardier Recreational Products spun off from Bombardier in 2003. It manufactures Ski-Doo snowmobile and jet ski recreational products, as well as Evinrude outboard motors and some ATVs. For more, watch the CBC News story about the blast in the video below.

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    • 1 Second Ago
      • 2 Years Ago
      My prayers go out to those injured and their families. I have worked as a contractor to BRP in the past, and have to say they are a close-knit operation. This will affect every last person there. Valcourt itself is a small town that basically revolves around BRP.
      • 2 Years Ago
      actually when surfing aol news it did say "bomb" in the link to get to the actual news site. once here though the headline states explosion. very glad that only injuries and not deaths are involved with this.
      • 2 Years Ago
      Tragically, one of the two men injured in the blast -- a dynamometer operator working the night shift -- succumbed to his injuries. The other man, a security guard, remains in intensive care at the burn unit.
      • 2 Years Ago
      Gives a whole new meaning to Bombardier.
      • 2 Years Ago
      Another sensationalistic lying headline from AOL, it was an explosion not a bomb!
        • 2 Years Ago
        "Bombardier" is the name of the company. They manufacture engines for recreational vehicles. Also, its not AOL that puts up those annoying and misleading headlines. Its Huffington Post.
        • 2 Years Ago
        Where does it say bomb? They must have changed the headline in the past few hours, unless you quickly read the company name as bomb.