Canadian defence minister David McGuinty said there were 'both fatalities and injuries' as a result of the incident. Alamy Stock Photo
Alberta
The blaze spread rapidly due to high winds at a military base in Alberta, with hospitals reportedly overwhelmed as emergency services responded to the incident.
SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE died following a major fire at a military base in western Canada, the country’s defence minister has confirmed.
Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty said late Saturday that there had been “both fatalities and injuries” following an incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.
Neither the number of casualties nor the cause of the incident has been confirmed.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier on Saturday that “a serious incident creating a major fire” had occurred at the base, located approximately 210 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
According to local authorities, the fire spread rapidly due to high winds, with emergency services receiving a call for assistance at around 4pm local time (11pm Irish time).
The municipal district of Wainwright said late Saturday that the fire was being held, although crews would continue monitoring the area.
McGuinty described the incident as an “active and delicate situation” and said an investigation would be launched.
The incident also placed significant pressure on nearby hospitals.
According to Canadian broadcaster CBC, a code orange, an emergency response protocol for a large number of patients, was declared in Edmonton.
Dr Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, said healthcare facilities in Wainwright had been “completely overwhelmed”, with patients being diverted to hospitals across Edmonton.
Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is one of the country’s busiest army bases and is used for military training exercises.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the incident as “significant and tragic”, saying it was affecting members of the Canadian military.
Authorities have asked residents to avoid the area and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. No evacuation order has been issued.
McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces and federal, provincial and local authorities were working together to mobilise support.
“We will have more to say in the coming hours and days,” he said.
Additional reporting from Andrew Walsh