A man died after two explosions at a community center in the Edmonton area, police say

Two explosions less than two hours apart sparked a huge police investigation in and around the Sherwood Park Community Center Tuesday night, the RCMP said.

The first explosion occurred around 18:30. in the parking lot of the Strathcona County Community Center. Shortly after the police arrived at the scene, they found a wounded suspect inside a vehicle.

The 21-year-old man was rushed to hospital where he died later.

A second explosion in the parking lot took place around 20:15. while officers and other first responders were investigating the scene. Nobody was hurt.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, the RCMP said they were not looking for other suspects and that the public was not in any danger.

"We have no motive yet for this incident," Supt. Dave Kalist told reporters.

Kalist said that members of the RCMP Serious Crimes Unit lead the investigation.

"Speculation does not help"

Police remained behind Tuesday night after the fire broke out inside the Strathcona County Community Center in Sherwood Park. (CBC)

Emergency teams and tactical units invaded the building on Tuesday after witnesses said they heard an explosion inside the car park. A nearby home for the elderly has been evacuated and roadblocks erected in the vicinity.

Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank rebadured the public that there was no more danger.

"It's an unusual situation for our community and we all know what modern times are but the main point at the moment is that this is under control and that speculation is not helping us," he said. he said Wednesday.

Throughout the night, heavily armed officers could be seen entering and exiting the community center complex, which houses the county council room as well as the library, meeting rooms and outdoor spaces.

On Wednesday, all entrances to the building were blocked by the police. St. Theresa and Salisbury Composite High schools also closed for the day.

An on-site RCMP officer told CBC News that there was no active evacuation in place. The officer said the police were looking to keep people away from the parking lot under the library.

Jim, who asked for his last name not to be used, was on the ground floor of the library when the building began to shake.

There was noise coming from the garage downstairs.

"I've been chasing and I've spent all my life in guns, and I'm aware of what a loud bang and boom are," he said. "It was a violent explosion, it rocked the building and the boom lasted a few seconds.

"The concrete under our feet shook, our chairs shook."

When the fire alarms started to fire, Jim, his partner and their group went outside to the parking lot, where emergency vehicles had started to arrive.

Jim wanted to pick up his car from the parking lot. He went down the entrance ramp and pbaded through the overhead door, which was wide open.

"While we were walking in the corner, the lights were still on but there was a hint of air," he said. "I'm not sure what it was, it did not smell like smoke and it left me with a kind of acid taste in my mouth.

"My eyes burned, my throat burned."

Although the police did not confirm any blast in the building, Jim said there was no doubt that there had been an explosion.

"It was a big explosion, nothing small about it," he said. "I hope everyone is fine … it's a crazy world we live in."