Carney says four service members killed in fire at Canadian military base
In short
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said four service members were killed and dozens seriously injured in a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta. The cause remained under investigation; Reuters separately carried a CBC report of seven deaths.
Read the full story 1 min read
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday that four service members were killed and dozens more seriously injured after a fire swept through Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday. He said the families of those killed had been notified. Carney described the fire as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada’s military on Canadian soil. [ 1 , 7 , 13 ]
The Canadian Armed Forces said the blaze began in the base’s training area Saturday afternoon and spread rapidly beyond its boundaries. The municipal district said high winds drove its spread, while fire crews worked as flames reached the surrounding rural area. Police said a call for assistance came around 4 p.m. Saturday. [ 1 , 7 ]
Carney said the personnel killed and injured had been participating in military training. Those affected included reservists and soldiers from Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, with personnel having traveled from bases across the country to train at Wainwright. The wounded were being treated in Wainwright, Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary, he said. [ 1 , 13 ]
The cause remained under investigation. The military said there were no indications of terrorism. Defense Minister David McGuinty said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in the investigation and that authorities were still working to determine what happened. Carney said senior officials at the site were expected to provide a detailed account and formal briefing later Sunday. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 13 ]
The reports differed on the death toll. Reuters carried a headline saying seven people had died, citing CBC. Bloomberg reported Carney’s figure of four and said CBC had reported seven earlier Sunday. Carney said flags on federal buildings across the country would fly at half-staff in honor of those affected. [ 1 , 13 , 14 , 18 ]
Why it matters
The wounded were being treated in Wainwright, Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary, Carney said. He ordered flags on federal buildings flown at half-staff to honor those affected.
Key facts
- Carney said four service members were killed and dozens seriously injured. [ 1 , 5 , 7 , 13 , 18 ]
- The fire broke out Saturday in the base’s training area and spread beyond its boundaries. [ 7 ]
- Carney said those killed and injured had been participating in military training. [ 1 , 13 ]
- The cause remained under investigation, with the military reporting no indications of terrorism. [ 1 , 13 ]
- Reuters carried a CBC report of seven deaths, differing from Carney’s figure of four. [ 14 , 18 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The cause of the fire. The military said the cause remained under investigation and reported no indications of terrorism.
- The final death and injury counts. Carney announced four deaths and dozens of serious injuries. Reuters relayed a CBC report of seven deaths; Bloomberg described that CBC figure as an earlier report.