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Several people have been killed or injured after a major fire broke out at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, Canada’s Defence Minister David McGuinty has said.
McGuinty has not confirmed the cause of the fire or the number of casualties. However, he described the situation as “very, very active and delicate”.
The fire broke out on Saturday and spread rapidly because of strong winds, according to the Municipal District of Wainwright. It also tore through fences around the military base.
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The district first reported the incident at about 5:30 pm local time, or 11:30 pm GMT. However, officials have not confirmed exactly when the fire started.
The Canadian military and local authorities are managing the incident. Meanwhile, emergency teams are responding to the fire and treating those affected.
Canadian broadcaster Global News has reported that at least seven people were killed and dozens injured. The network cited unnamed military sources who said a gas line or gas well was struck during a live-fire training exercise. Authorities have not confirmed this account.
Also, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said a “serious incident creating a major fire” had occurred. He added that his “thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected”. McGuinty said he could not recall a similar incident in recent memory.
The fire has also strained nearby healthcare facilities. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton declared a code orange, a disaster response protocol used for incidents involving multiple casualties.
Local authorities have urged residents to stay away from the area and keep emergency vehicles moving. Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is one of the country’s busiest military training centres and a major site for live-fire exercises. According to CBC, about 690 military personnel and 300 civilian workers are typically on-site each day.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire or provided an official casualty figure.
