Canada's defence minister confirms fatalities in major fire at CFB Wainwright
Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed fatalities and injuries after a "serious incident" and major fire at CFB Wainwright, Alberta, on Saturday evening; no casualty figures were released.
Canada’s defence minister has confirmed that there have been fatalities and injuries in a “serious incident” at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday, 17 October.
Speaking at a late-night press conference Saturday, Defence Minister David McGuinty said: “I’m saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base.” He released no casualty figures and gave no account of what happened, calling the situation “very, very active and delicate”; the RCMP is investigating. “I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,” he added, per the Eastern Herald via CTV.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said: “A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright,” per the Eastern Herald via CTV; Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan issued a statement on personnel welfare, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described it as a “significant and tragic” fire affecting military personnel, reports the Economic Times.
CTV reported an explosion and fire, though officials have used the language of fire only. The blaze crossed the base fence on Saturday and spread rapidly in winds gusting to 100 km/h, according to The Hindu.
The fire burned south of Township Road 44-0 Saturday evening with no evacuation order issued. Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions were on scene, the local community provided medical and firefighting support, and STARS Air Ambulance dispatched two aircraft from Saskatoon and Edmonton, Anadolu reported.
CFB Wainwright lies about 180 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
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