Several dead or injured in major fire at Canada military base
Officials have not given a cause or death toll, citing the "very active and delicate" situation at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.
Key points
- Several people were killed and others injured in a large fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.
- Defence Minister David McGuinty did not confirm the cause or the number of casualties.
- Global News reported at least seven dead and dozens injured, citing unnamed military sources.
Several people have been killed and others injured in a large fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, Defence Minister David McGuinty said. He did not confirm the cause or the number of casualties, calling the situation "very, very active and delicate".
The fire broke out on Saturday and spread quickly because of high winds, tearing through the base's fences, according to the Municipal District of Wainwright. Local authorities first posted about the incident at about 17:30 local time (23:30 GMT).
Reports of deaths and injuries
Canadian TV network Global News reported that at least seven people were killed and dozens more injured when a gas line or gas well was hit during a live-fire training exercise, citing unnamed military sources.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton called a code orange, a disaster response protocol for high-casualty incidents. Emergency department doctor Warren Thirsk told the broadcaster the patient numbers would otherwise "overwhelm" healthcare facilities in Edmonton.
It is more patients than any of us want to count right now. It's a disaster.
— Warren Thirsk
Reaction from officials
Prime Minister Mark Carney said a "serious incident creating a major fire" had occurred and that his thoughts were with those affected. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described a "significant and tragic fire" affecting many of the province's military personnel.
McGuinty told reporters he "cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory". Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he had sent resources to Alberta, and British Columbia Premier David Eby said his government had offered assistance.
Local authorities urged residents to avoid the area and give emergency vehicles right of way. Wainwright is one of Canada's busiest military training bases, with about 690 military personnel and 300 civilian workers on-site on a typical day, according to CBC.
