Fort McMurray explosion injures Cape Breton man

Aman from Scotchtown, Cape Breton, has been identified as the worker critically injured in an explosion in Fort McMurray on Friday.

Dave Williams, 30, is a journeyman millwright at the Nexen Long Lake project.

The company saidhe and another worker were refitting valves on a compressor at thefacility that converts hydrocarbon into a lighter oil. The second man was killed in the blast andhas been identified as Drew Foster, 52.

Williams's cousin, KellyMacEachern, said hesustained third-degree burns to 90 per cent of the front of his body. She saidthe family has been told that Williams dug himself out of the rubble of the explosion.

MacEachern saidthe family was told that Williams"had a good chance" of survivingif he made it through the first 48 hours, which have now passed. She saida CT scan showed "he has a young, good,strong heart. He is a fighter."

Williamsis still in critical condition. MacEachern said"he had some complications last night. They were supposed to do somesurgery this morning, but it got cancelled."

Williams was not supposed to be on the job Friday, she said, but "went in for an extra shift."

Williams's parents,his brother and an auntare by his side at the hospital while MacEachernand other family members are flying to Edmonton today.