Canada confirms four soldiers killed in Wainwright training fire

Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed that four soldiers died in a fire during training at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. Their families have been notified.

The troops were preparing for deployment to Latvia, said Major-General Wade Rutland, commander of the First Canadian Division. He said strong winds drove a grass fire a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds, according to preliminary findings.

Rutland said initial evidence did not point to an accident involving oil and gas infrastructure or outside interference. Investigators would nevertheless examine those possibilities. Military personnel and civilian crews fought the blaze through the night, McGuinty said.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith reported that 39 patients were receiving hospital care, at least 19 of them in critical condition. She pledged continuing care over the coming days and weeks.

Rutland warned that investigating the deaths and the complex circumstances would take longer than a day or a week.

Prime Minister Mark Carney described the fire as one of the Canadian military’s worst peacetime tragedies and ordered flags on federal buildings lowered to half-mast.