CFB Wainwright fire - latest: Soldiers killed in massive explosion at military base named

CFB Wainwright fire - latest: Soldiers killed in massive explosion at military base named Dozens more were injured after the tragic incident, which reportedly occurred after a gas line or gas well was hit during a live-fire training exercise, according to military sources Four service members killed following a major fire at the Alberta military base have now been identified. Speaking from Ottowa on Sunday night, he said the situation is "evolving rapidly" with a formal briefing scheduled later today. "The nation is in mourning for those brave members of our armed forces who we have lost," he said and confirmed flags will be flown at half-mast. The blaze started near the CFB Wainwright Canadian Forces Base in Alberta at around 4pm local time yesterday (Saturday) and "spread rapidly due to high winds". Those who died have been named as Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding and Private Hayden Lykkemark. Canadian TV network Global News reported that the incident happened when a gas line or gas well was hit during a live-fire training exercise, citing unnamed military sources. Dr Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, said: "This number of patients would overwhelm the city of Edmonton and that is why we are clearing our decks and mobilizing to respond as if it was our own city. "It is more patients than any of us want to count right now. It's a disaster. It’s a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster." Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney said in a post on X: "Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected. "We are working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities. Premier Smith and I are in close contact as are our relevant ministers and officials." Key Events 'We honour the service and dedication of our fallen' General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, said of the four deaths: “It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding, and Private Hayden Lykkemark. "On behalf of all our members, I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends and colleagues. We stand with them during this incredibly difficult time as we honour the service and dedication of our fallen. "My thoughts are also with our injured members and their loved ones as they receive care and support. I am grateful to the first responders and medical teams who responded to this tragedy, and to everyone providing support to those affected.” Shadow Defence Secretary 'deeply saddened' by incident Shadow defence secretary David Reed said he was “deeply saddened to hear this devastating news”. He wrote on X: “My thoughts and prayers are with the four members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have tragically lost their lives, and with their families, friends and fellow service personnel at this incredibly difficult time.” Wes Streeting offers 'deep condolences' Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has sent his “deepest condolences” to those affected by the deadly fire at a Canadian military base which killed four people. A further 39 people were taken to hospital, 19 of whom are in a critical condition, after a fire broke out at the Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday, the province’s premier Danielle Smith said. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the event as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada’s military on domestic soil. In a post on X late on Sunday, Mr Streeting sent a message of condolence to the victims and their families. He wrote: “My deepest condolences to all those mourning the Canadian Armed Forces personnel who tragically lost their lives at the base in Wainwright – and with those who have suffered injuries during this terrible incident. To our Canadian friends – we stand with you and grieve with you.” Flags to fly at half-mast Flags would fly at half-mast on federal buildings across the country in honour of those affected by the tragedy, Prime Minister Mark Carney said. Mr Carney said those affected included reservists and soldiers from Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, one of Canada’s most celebrated military regiments. The personnel had come from bases across the country to train at Wainwright. 39 people in hospital with 19 'critical' Alberta premier Danielle Smith said that 39 people had been admitted to hospital, including at least 19 in a critical condition, after a deadly fire at a Canadian military base. Ms Smith said patients were transferred from Canadian Forces Base Wainwright to four hospitals across Alberta. Identities of those killed in explosion released by authorities - Sergeant Morgan Wong, from the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, based in Edmonton, Alberta, and serving with 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry - Private Shaun Farrell, from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta - Private Aidan Goulding, from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta - Private Hayden Lykkemark, from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta 'Code orange' deactivated The code orange alert, indicating an emergency response to a mass casualty event, that was put in place following the fatal Wainwright fire in Alberta has now been paused, Acute Care Alberta has said in a statement. It added 30 units were deployed to the military base, the BBC reports. Wainwright fire - in pictures 'Canada stands with you', Defence Minister says David McGuinty is travelling to Edmonton, Alberta, to join fellow ministers in the wake of the deadly military base fire. "I will be briefed on the latest developments regarding the terrible incident that occurred at CFB Wainwright," he said in a post on social media. McGuinty said in a statement to the victims' families and the wider Wainwright community: "Canada stands with you". Alberta Premier heads to Edmonton Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is reportedly heading to Edmonton to meet with ministers, CBC reports. She has said in a post on X: "The loss of life and injuries are heartbreaking. On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and wish those who have been injured a full recovery." 'One of the worst tragedies for the forces' in Canada Mark Carney said in his statement that the fatal fire at the Wainwright military base in Alberta has become "one of the worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime". 'Canadians come together in crisis', Carney says Carney continued in his broadcast: "Canadians come together in crisis", before thanking people across Alberta and Canadians for donating blood to help the victims. He says those training at the Wainwright base came from all over the country. "Those we lost were training to serve Canada and now Canada serves them," Carney added. Four dead in horror military base fire, PM says In a public broadcast, the Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed four service members were killed in the horror fire at the military base, with dozens more seriously injured. Speaking from Ottowa, he said the situation is "evolving rapidly" with a formal briefing scheduled later today. "The nation is in mourning for those brave members of our armed forces who we have lost," he said and confirmed flags will be flown at half-mast. Canadian flag to flag at half-mast The Canadian flag is to fly at half-mast on federal buildings across the country in a mark of respect for the death and injured following the horror fire at the army base, the Canadian Prime Minister has said. In a post on X, Mark Carney said: "The Canadian flag will fly at half-mast on federal buildings across Canada. All Canadians stand with the service members at CFB Wainwright, their families, and their community." Fire spread 'due to high winds' The Municipal District of Wainwright said the horror fire spread across the military base "rapidly due to high winds". The region was said to be experiencing gusts of up to 100km/h, 62mph. 'More patients than any of us want to count' Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton has declared a code orange - a code indiciating a disaster with high casualties. A doctor at the site, Warren Thirsk, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) that the volume of patients from the fire would otherwise "overhwlem" the hospital. "It is more patients than any of us want to count right now. It's a disaster. It's a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster," he said. Gas line or gas well 'hit' during fire training exercise According to unnamed military sources that spoke to Canadian TV network Global News, the mass causalty event was caused when a gas line or a gas well was hit during a live-fire training exercise, causing a large fire at the base. 'No indications of terrorist activity' A defence department spokeswoman told the BBC that while investigations remain ongoing to the fatal fire at the Canadian military base in Alberta, "at this time, there are no indications that it was the result of any terrorist activity". 'Impossible to understand' event, Mayor says Bruce Pugh, the mayor of the neighbouring community of Wainwright, has spoken out. It is understood of many of the 7,000 inhabitants of the town are either members, former members or have some ties to the Armed Forces base. "We're different fingers of the same glove," he said, reports CBC News. "Our kids attend the same schools. We play on the same sports teams. We enjoy the same rec facilities." "This will be an incident where it's a heartbreaking, impossible-to-understand event, but it's being met with an equal reaction of humanity." Multiple air ambulance helicopters sent to Wainwright Multiple air ambulance flights were made to Wainwright on Saturday evening, the Western Canada STARS air ambulance service has said. In posts on X it said that the ambulance helicopters were sent at 4:57 pm, 10:43 pm and just before midnight local time. The first and last were sent from Edmonton, roughly 200 kilometres away from Wainwright, and the second flew from Calgary, about 400 kilometres away. What is CFB Wainwright? Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in east-central Alberta is the largest ground training facility in Canada's Armed Forces. Troops travel from across Canada to the base to take part in realistic battlefield exercises. The training operations at CFB Wainwright often use live fire but trainers use well-established rules to make the exercises as safe as possible. The live-fire exercises the base hosts means that there are storage facilities for explosive material, CBC reports. From tank shells to breaching charges, CFB Wainwright has a huge store of munitions. However, there has been no indication that explosives or stored ammunition were a factor in the fire. 'Pray for Wainwright, everyone' Canadian Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has spoken with Mark Carney and Canada's Defence Minister David McGuinty to offer support to those affected by the fire. "Pray for Wainwright, everyone," Mr Poilievre said. He urged people in the area to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders. 'We will honour their memory' - NATO chief The chair of the NATO Military Committee released a statement on social media on Sunday morning. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone posted on X saying: "On behalf of the NATO Military Committee, we extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragedy at CFB Wainwright, and our wishes for a full recovery to all the injured. "Wainwright is where Canadian soldiers, and so many Allies with them, train for the hardest tasks of our profession. Those who fell there served our common security, and the Military Committee will honour their memory." Medics scramble to treat fire victims Pictures from the scene show the scale of the emergency response, as hospitals have been put on “code orange” disaster response protocol due to the high number of patients flooding into facilities following the fire. 'Fatalities and injuries' - Canadian military A statement by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), sent to CBC news says the fire started around 4 pm local time (11pm UK time) and spread rapidly beyond the training area. The incident resulted “in fatalities and injuries,” the statement said, adding that there won’t be more details on deaths or injuries until the next of kin have been informed. “Our immediate priority is supporting those affected and notifying next of kin. We will not confirm casualty or injury details until that process is complete,” the CAF said in its statement. General Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, extended condolences to those affected. “This is a profoundly difficult moment for the entire Canadian Armed Forces. Our immediate focus remains on supporting those affected, assisting emergency response efforts, and ensuring the well-being of our members, their families, and the surrounding community,” said Carignan. “While casualty identification and notification processes are ongoing, I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives. Our thoughts are also with all those impacted by this tragic incident.” All you need to know - Disaster response protocols have been activated as multiple fatalities were reported after a "significant and tragic" fire broke out on a Canadian military base in east-central Alberta. - There are unconfirmed reports that at least seven people have died and dozens more have been left injured after the incident at a training area on Canadian Forces Base Wainwright. An official death toll has not yet been released. - Hospitals in the nearby city of Edmonton have activated a “code orange” disaster response protocol due to the high number of patients flooding into facilities following the fire at CFB Wainwright. - Residents have been told to avoid hospital emergency departments in Edmonton. Locals have also been told to stay off roads surrounding the wildfire, which is burning south of Wainwright, so emergency responders can get access. - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the fire as "serious." Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the incident is "affecting many of our brave military personnel.” Stark warning issued by emergency physician - 'it's a disaster' CBC News has spoken to Dr Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. Thirsk said Wainwright’s health-care facilities were “completely overwhelmed” by the number of patients requiring care. He said: “This number of patients would overwhelm the city of Edmonton and that is why we are clearing our decks and mobilizing to respond as if it was our own city. “It is more patients than any of us want to count right now. It’s a disaster. It’s a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster.” Unconfirmed reports suggest 'at least seven people dead' Global News is reporting that at least seven people are dead and dozens more have been left injured after the incident, citing 'multiple military sources'. The official death toll has not yet been released, but we do know there are fatalities after the incident. CFB Wainwright is one of Canada's busiest military bases Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, about 180 kilometers (112 miles) southeast of Edmonton, is one of Canada’s busiest military training bases, where soldiers prepare for combat operations. It is home to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides military training. Incident described as 'very, very active and delicate' McGuinty did not provide casualty figures or details about what caused the incident. He said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in the investigation and described the situation as “very, very active and delicate.” The Canadian Armed Forces and federal, provincial and local authorities were coordinating the emergency response, he said. The nearby community of Wainwright was providing hospital and firefighting support.