Four Canadian soldiers were killed and dozens of others injured after a fast-moving fire swept through Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday.
The fire began around 4 p.m. in a grassy training area and spread quickly in strong winds. Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland, commander of the Canadian Armed Forces’ 1st Canadian Division, said the flames travelled about one kilometre in just 30 to 60 seconds after the wind shifted.
The four soldiers who died were identified as Sgt. Morgan Wong, Pte. Shaun Farrell, Pte. Aidan Goulding and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark.
Of the 39 people receiving hospital care, at least 19 were in critical condition. A doctor at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton said the number of patients had overwhelmed medical facilities in Wainwright.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the incident one of the worst peacetime tragedies involving Canada’s military on home soil.
Rutland said infantry members had been taking part in live-fire combat training when the fire spread. Officials had known about the fire for several hours, but the exact cause remains unknown.
Authorities have ruled out a suspected link to oil and gas infrastructure and said there are no indications of terrorist activity. The investigation could take at least a month.
Wainwright, about 130 miles east of Edmonton, is a major military training base used by Canadian troops and forces from allied countries.
