Three dead at BC mushroom farm

An industrial accident at a mushroom farm in British Columbia's Langley Township has left three people dead and two others in serious condition.

Dozens of firefighters and three air ambulances were called to the farm after several people working on the site inadvertently released an unknown toxic chemical and were overcome by noxious, unidentified fumes.

Family members knelt and prayed outside the farm in Langley, about 50 kilometres southeast of Vancouver, after the incident, which happened shortly after 5 p.m. local time.

B.C. Ambulance Service evacuated three people to hospital. Two were in critical condition and they were brought to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, while the other victim was brought to Langley Hospital in stable condition.

One other victim was still being attending at scene by ambulance crews.

The large acreage is home to two mushroom farms, called Farmers Fresh Mushrooms Inc. and HV Trong Ltd. Mushroom Farm.

The matter is being investigated by WorkSafeBC.