Fire inferno on military base: 19 injured, life-threatening

Misfortune in Canada

Fire inferno on military base: 19 injured, life-threatening

A fatal incident occurs at a military base in the Canadian province of Alberta. A fire in the grassland quickly spreads, four people die and dozens are injured.

A rapidly spreading fire at the Wainwright military base in Canada killed four people and critically injured at least 19. A total of 39 people were taken to hospitals, some with severe burns, as the Prime Minister of Alberta, Danielle Smith, announced in a press conference on Sunday afternoon (local time).

A fire in grassland on the base spread quickly, driven by unusually strong winds, and engulfed a training area where soldiers were training, Commander Wade Rutland told the press. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. It is currently not believed that oil or gas infrastructure on the site played a role.

The news platform “Global News” had previously reported that a gas pipe or a gas well was hit with live ammunition during the exercise. This led to an explosion, it was initially said, citing sources within the Canadian Armed Forces.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke of one of the “worst tragedies” for the army on Canadian soil in peacetime. He ordered flags at federal buildings to be flown at half-mast.

Wainwright is located approximately 210 kilometers southeast of the provincial capital, Edmonton. According to the government, the military base is one of the busiest army bases in Canada.

According to Commander Rutland, soldiers from an infantry group trained with live ammunition and simulated combat operations during the exercise. They were therefore preparing for an operation Latvia in the coming year.