Explosion and major fire at Canadian military base leave dead and injured
An explosion sparked a major fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. Canada's government confirmed deaths and injuries; military sources put the death toll at seven or more.
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Several people were killed on Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton. Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed fatalities and injuries but gave no figures, saying he could not recall an incident like it in recent memory. Global News, citing multiple military sources, reported at least seven dead and dozens injured.
According to those sources, a live-fire training exercise struck a gas line or gas well at around 4 p.m. local time, triggering an explosion. The cause has not been officially confirmed. Fanned by wind gusts of up to 100 km/h, the fire spread beyond the base fence. Firefighters from several jurisdictions and air ambulances responded, and the RCMP is involved in the investigation.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called it a “serious incident”, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described a “significant and tragic fire”. Wainwright is one of Canada's busiest military training bases. The fire forced the closure of an advance polling station ahead of Monday's referendum in Alberta.