Several killed and injured in fire at Canada military base

A large fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, Canada, killed or injured several people, Defence Minister David McGuinty said, without confirming the cause or a casualty toll. The fire broke out on Saturday and spread rapidly in high winds, tearing through fences at the base, according to the Municipal District of Wainwright.

How many people were killed or injured?

McGuinty did not give a number of dead or wounded. Canadian television 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 report has not been confirmed by Canadian defence officials.

What has the hospital response been?

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton called a code orange, a disaster response protocol for high-casualty incidents. Warren Thirsk, an emergency department doctor at the hospital, told the CBC that the number of patients would otherwise overwhelm Edmonton’s healthcare facilities.

“It is more patients than any of us want to count right now. It’s a disaster. It’s a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster.” — Warren Thirsk, emergency department doctor, Royal Alexandra Hospital

When did the fire break out?

The Municipal District of Wainwright first posted about the incident at about 17:30 local time (23:30 GMT) on Saturday. The district said the fire “spread rapidly due to high winds” and had torn through the fences of the base. Local authorities urged residents to avoid the area and to give all emergency vehicles the right of way.

What have Canada’s leaders said?

Prime Minister Mark Carney said a “serious incident creating a major fire” had occurred, adding that his “thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected”. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described a “significant and tragic fire” that was “affecting many of [the province’s] brave military personnel”. McGuinty told reporters he “cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory” and described the situation as “very, very active and delicate”.

Is help arriving from other provinces?

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he had deployed resources to Alberta and was “ready to provide more if required”. British Columbia Premier David Eby said his government had offered “all possible assistance”.

What is Canadian Forces Base Wainwright?

Wainwright is the main base used by the Canadian military for live-fire training exercises, according to the CBC, with about 690 military personnel and 300 civilian workers on site on a typical day. It is one of the country’s busiest military training bases.

Frequently asked questions

How many people died in the fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright?

Canadian defence officials have not confirmed a death toll. Global News, citing unnamed military sources, reported that at least seven people were killed and dozens more injured.

What caused the fire at the Alberta military base?

The cause has not been confirmed. Defence Minister David McGuinty said the situation was “very, very active and delicate” and did not confirm the cause; Global News reported, citing unnamed sources, that a gas line or gas well was hit during a live-fire training exercise.

Where is Canadian Forces Base Wainwright?

Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is in Alberta, Canada. According to the CBC, it is the main base the Canadian military uses for live-fire training, with about 690 military personnel and 300 civilian workers on site on a typical day.

Which hospital treated the casualties?

The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton called a code orange, a disaster protocol for high-casualty incidents, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. Globe World — Jo%E3o%20Silas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)