Four service members have been killed with 19 more fighting for life after a fire at a military base in Alberta, Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described it as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for the country’s military on domestic soil.
The four fatalities have since been named as Private Aidan Goulding, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Hayden Lykkemark and Sergeant Morgan Wong, CBC News reports.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said a further 39 people were being treated for their injuries, at least 19 of whom were in a critical condition.
Fierce autumn winds whipped flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright Saturday night and into the surrounding rural area as reservists and soldiers from Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, one of Canada’s most storied military regiments, were engaged in training exercises.
The Canadian military there were no indications the incident was the result of terrorism but the cause remains under investigation.
CFB Wainwright is one of Canada’s busiest military training bases, where soldiers prepare for combat operations, and is home to the Canadian Maneuver Training Center, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, and to the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre.
When the fire broke out at around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, firefighters faced a volatile situation. Large areas of the province were hit during the day by a windstorm with gusts up to 62 mph. The wind toppled some trees and sent signs flying and garbage cans rolling down streets.
By 11 p.m., the Municipal District of Wainwright said on social media the fire had been contained and that property and critical infrastructure were protected.
There was no evacuation order for the town’s 7,000 residents but the fire did disrupt advance voting ahead of Monday’s referendum on whether Alberta should begin a process that could lead to independence from Canada.
Elections Alberta said the advance polling location at Wainwright Communiplex closed early Saturday and ballots and election materials were transported securely.-Independent
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