Canada Vows Swift Probe into Military Base Fire

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged a thorough and swift investigation into a fire that killed four soldiers and injured 39 others at a military training base in Alberta.

The blaze began on Saturday during an exercise at the Wainwright base, but the cause of the fire remains unknown.

Addressing parliament in Ottawa on Monday, Carney explained that strong winds drove the flames nearly one kilometre in less than a minute towards an area where soldiers had gathered.

“Driven by ferocious winds, the fire jumped nearly a kilometre in less than a minute to where soldiers were gathered,” Carney said. 

He said 50 investigators were already working at the scene and pledged to provide them with the resources needed to establish what happened.

“Fifty investigators are on the ground. We will ensure that they have all the resources they need to complete their work thoroughly and expeditiously.”

Four soldiers died in the blaze, and 39 others were injured, 19 of whom remain in critical condition.

Major General Wade Rutland told reporters on Sunday that the soldiers were caught by surprise as the fire rapidly advanced across the Alberta prairie during an outdoor training exercise.

Rutland also dismissed reports linking the incident to explosions at oil and gas facilities and ruled out external interference.

The Wainwright base is one of the largest installations operated by the Canadian Armed Forces. It regularly hosts military training exercises involving personnel from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization  (NATO) member countries.