Several dead or injured in major fire at Canada military base
Several people have been killed or injured as a result of a large fire near a Canadian military base in Alberta, the nation's defence minister has said.
A major fire has erupted at Canada's Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, resulting in several deaths and injuries. David McGuinty, the nation's defense minister, has stated that the situation is "very, very active and delicate" and that the cause of the fire is still unknown. The Canadian military and local authorities are currently battling the blaze, which broke out near the base, one of the country's busiest military training facilities.
Global News reported that at least seven individuals were killed and dozens injured when a gas line or gas well was hit during a live-fire training exercise. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences, stating that a "serious incident creating a major fire" had occurred. The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, where many of the injured are being treated, has declared a code orange, a disaster response protocol for a high-casualty incident.
The fire rapidly spread due to high winds, tearing through the base's fences. Emergency department doctor Warren Thirsk warned that the number of patients was "overwhelming" for Edmonton's healthcare facilities, comparing it to a "one in every 15 to 25-year disaster". After the fire, winds reached up to 100km/h (62mph), but fire crews have managed to contain it.
The defence minister claimed that he "cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory." The mayor of Wainwright, Bruce Pugh, described this incident as the community's "heaviest day," emphasizing the strong bonds between military personnel and civilians in the region. Neighboring provinces have offered their support, with Saskatchewan and British Columbia pledging assistance.
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