People have been killed and injured after an incident at one of Canada’s busiest military training bases in Alberta caused a large fire, Canada’s defence minister said Saturday.
“I’m saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base,” defence minister David McGuinty said at a press conference on Saturday night.
McGuinty described the situation at CFB Wainwright as “active and delicate” with the fire being monitored very closely. “I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory”, he said at the press conference.
McGuinty did not provide casualty figures or details about what caused the incident. The Canadian Armed Forces and federal, provincial and local authorities were coordinating the emergency response, he said. The nearby community of Wainwright was providing hospital and firefighting support.
In an earlier social media post, prime minister Mark Carney said: “A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta.”
“Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” he said.
The Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire crossed the base’s fence earlier Saturday and was spreading rapidly due to high winds. Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions were responding, and no evacuation order was in effect.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as “significant and tragic” and said it was affecting many military personnel.
Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, about ۱۸۰km southeast of Edmonton, is one of Canada’s busiest military training bases, where soldiers prepare for combat operations. It is home to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, and the ۳rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides military training.
Canadian Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defence minister to offer support to those affected by the fire.
“Pray for Wainwright, everyone,” Poilievre said in a social media post. He urged people in the area to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders.
Neither Carney nor Smith provided details about what caused the fire or whether anyone was injured.
