Dust explosion engulfs Canadian firefighters

Three Canadian firefighters who were battling a blaze at a furniture factory are "very lucky" to be alive after wood dust ignited and engulfed them in a fiery explosion.

The three men were attempting to contain the blaze with hoses near the factory's entrance when the wood dust ignited and the force of the flames led to an explosion, which completely swallowed the men.

But despite sending the flames directly into the path of the men, they continued fighting the blaze until it was under control.

Vancouver Fire Captain Jonathan Gormick said the men owe their lives to their protective gear.

"On the very inside is a thermal layer that's quilted and heavy and rather than keeping heat in its trying to keep heat out," he told CTV News.

But it was the lightest item of protective clothing that saved the crew from serious injury.

"We've started to wear flame-proof balaclavas that seal our face and protect our neck the back of our neck and all around our face piece from flame and heat," Mr Gormick said.

All three men were fit to continue fighting fires.

"I hope they dusted themselves off. No pun intended," Mr Gormick said.