At least 4 killed in major fire at Canadian military base
The base, one of Canada's largest, is about 210 km east of Edmonton in Alberta.
At least four Canadian military personnel have lost their lives in a major fire at the Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, Canada, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. The fire, which broke out on Saturday afternoon, has also seriously injured dozens of individuals, many of whom were from various military bases across the nation.
Prime Minister Carney described the incident as one of the worst peacetime tragedies ever for Canada's armed forces on home soil, prompting the lowering of flags on federal buildings to half-staff in honor of the fallen. National Defence Minister David McGuinty plans to visit the city to receive updates on the situation. The Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, one of Canada's largest, is located approximately 210 km east of Edmonton and houses the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, as military and civilian firefighters battled the blaze through the night amidst severe wind conditions. Emergency medical services declared a "code orange" event to coordinate their response to the mass casualty situation, with patients being transported and treated in various medical facilities across Alberta.
The air ambulance services from Edmonton and Saskatoon also reached the base on Saturday, and patients are currently being treated in Edmonton, Wainwright, Calgary, and Red Deer.
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