Four soldiers killed in fire at Canadian military base in Alberta

A fire at the Wainwright army training base in the western Canadian province of Alberta on Saturday killed four soldiers and left several dozen injured. Prime Minister Mark Carney described the incident as one of the worst tragedies the Canadian armed forces have experienced in peacetime.

The blaze began at around 4:00 p.m. local time. Carney characterised it as swift and very powerful. The local municipality reported that strong winds spread the flames, which also engulfed the base's fences. The fire is now contained, but rescuers remain at the scene to prevent flare-ups.

Hospitals overwhelmed

The casualties were taken to nearby medical facilities. The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton declared an emergency response status. Hospital physician Dr. Warren Thirsk said there were more patients than one would like to believe, and described the event as a disaster of the kind that occurs once every 15 to 25 years. Air ambulance units from Edmonton, Saskatoon and Calgary were also brought in.

Cause unclear

Wainwright is one of the busiest military training bases in Canada. Local mayor Bruce Pugh said live-fire exercises had been held there during the past week. Gunfire is nothing unusual at the base, he said, but on Saturday the noise suddenly stopped, and rescuers received a call soon afterwards. He called a tragedy of this kind unheard of.

The cause has not been determined. Global News, citing anonymous military sources, reported that the fire may have started after damage to a gas pipeline or gas well during the exercises. Authorities have not confirmed this. The armed forces said there are currently no signs pointing to terrorism.

Official information

Before Carney confirmed the toll, several media outlets citing anonymous sources reported seven deaths; this was not officially confirmed. The prime minister said the names of the dead and injured will not be released until their families have been notified. He thanked blood donors, promised support for the injured throughout their recovery and announced that flags at federal buildings across the country will be lowered to half-mast.