Military withholds toll after deadly fire at CFB Wainwright

A fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on October 17 killed and injured an undetermined number of people, National Defence said. According to the department, the fire started in the base’s training area at about 4 pm local time and quickly spread beyond it, as military and civilian emergency crews worked to bring it under control and help those affected.

Defence Minister David McGuinty said the military, his department and other federal partners, including Public Safety, are working with the Alberta government and municipalities to provide support, and he thanked the first responders and personnel involved. Gen. Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, both offered condolences to the families of those who died.

National Defence said the full impact is still being assessed and that it will not release details on the dead or injured until next of kin have been notified. The department said it will release more information as it becomes available.