Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that four service members died in a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, while reports citing unnamed sources put the total number of deaths at seven or more.
Carney said Sunday, Oct. 18, that the next of kin of the four service members had been notified. He also said dozens more were seriously wounded.
The Canadian Armed Forces said the fire broke out in the base’s training area on Saturday, Oct. 17, and then spread outside it. The military’s release did not identify what ignited it. Global News reported that military sources were considering a preliminary theory involving a munition from live training igniting grass; that account has not been officially confirmed.
Global News cited military sources for at least seven deaths. Reuters separately reported that CBC News had cited unnamed sources for the same higher toll. Carney’s statement confirmed four deaths; the higher figure has not been confirmed in his public remarks cited here.
Smith said 39 people were hospitalized, including at least 19 in critical condition, according to the Associated Press. Alberta health officials told AP that patients went to hospitals in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary, with two hospitals receiving patients in Edmonton and one in each of the other cities. The province said its response involved 22 ground ambulances, six airplanes and two helicopters, AP reported. Acute Care Alberta had ended all Code Orange hospital activations by Sunday afternoon, Global News reported.
Carney said those affected had come to Wainwright from military bases throughout Canada. The group included reservists and members of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. The Canadian Army lists Wainwright among its busiest bases and says it hosts the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre. Global News also noted a separate 2017 training exercise at Wainwright in which a sergeant died and three others were injured.
The fire also disrupted advance voting for Alberta’s referendum. Elections Alberta said the Wainwright Communiplex voting site closed Saturday and listed alternatives in Lloydminster and Vermilion. The closure comes ahead of referendum Election Day on Monday, Oct. 19; EconoTimes has covered Alberta’s referendum campaign.
