7 dead, dozens injured in explosion and fire at CFB Wainwright

At least seven people are dead and dozens more left injured from an explosion and fire at the , according to multiple military sources.

“I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,” Minister of National Defence David McGuinty said on Saturday night when addressing the mass casualty event at the military base in central Alberta.

“This is a very, very active and delicate situation.”

A live-fire training exercise hit a gas line or gas well on the base causing an explosion around 4 p.m. MT, multiple Canadian Armed Forces sources told Global News.

A fire then broke out and spread, fuelled by wind gusts of up to 100 km/h that prompted much of Alberta to be under wind warnings on Saturday.

CFB Wainwright is one Canada’s busiest military training bases, used mainly to train soldiers and prepare units for combat operations.

It’s also the site of the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which prepares military units to operate together in realistic battlefield conditions, and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides basic infantry training.

Acute Care Alberta said EMS were on the scene providing care and transport related to the emergency at the base about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.

STARS Air Ambulance said it also dispatched crews from both its Edmonton and Saskatoon bases to the fire-related emergency in Wainwright area this evening, as part of a multi-agency response.

McGuinty said he was saddened to share that people have died and been injured as a result of “an incident on the base.”

“At this time, our thoughts are with the families and with everyone impacted by this tragic event,” McGuinty said.

“And I want to thank, in particular, the first responders and everyone providing assistance at a very difficult time.”

McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence and the federal government will have more to share in the coming days.

Alberta Member of Parliament Dane Lloyd said he heard there were “significant casualties” after an explosion and fire at the base.

Lloyd, who represents a riding west of Edmonton, asked in a social media post for people to pray for the soldiers and their families.

The fire on the base was spreading due to the high winds, according to the Municipal District of Wainwright, which established an emergency coordination centre Saturday night.

An update around 7 p.m. said the fire south of Wainwright crossed the base fence earlier in the day and was being actively managed. The active fire area was south of Township Road 44-0.

Firefighting resources from multiple jurisdictions were actively responding, the district said.

FIRMS (NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System) tracks active fires by satellite and shows a cluster of them on Saturday just to the southeast of the town of Wainwright.

Fire shuts down Alberta referendum advance polling station

Saturday was the final day of advance polling ahead of Monday’s Alberta referendum and the fire forced one location to close early.

Elections Alberta said the fire that originated near the military base spread rapidly due to high winds and has crossed into the municipality, impacting the Wainwright Communiplex advance vote location.

Voters in the Electoral Division 86 were redirected to two other advance vote locations at the Border Inn in Lloydminster, about 105 kilometres to the northeast, and the Vermilion Elks Hall, which was about 65 kilometres directly north of Wainwright.

Elections Alberta said the ballot boxes and materials from Wainwright were being moved securely.

Leaders offer condolences

Premier Danielle Smith has also confirmed the incident, saying there has been a “significant and tragic fire” at CFB Wainwright.

In a post on social media, the premier added the incident has affected many military personnel.

She added that the province is in contact with the federal government and the prime minister.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also posted on social media that his thoughts are with all the brave men and women affected.

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition and Member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot, put out a message saying: “Pray for Wainwright, everyone. There has been a serious incident that caused a fire at CFB Wainwright. Thank you to the brave firefighters and emergency responders working to save lives.

Poilievre said he spoke with the prime minister and the Minister of Defence to offer his support to everyone on the base and in the community.

“To everyone in the area, please stay safe, follow local emergency instructions, and keep roads clear for first responders,” Poilievre said.

This is a breaking news story. More to come…

— with files from The Canadian Press

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