People were killed and injured in an incident that sparked a major fire at a military base in Alberta, Canada’s defense minister said Saturday, as reports indicated that large numbers of wounded were being taken to hospitals.
Fire crews scrambled late into the night as fierce winds whipped flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright and into the surrounding rural area.
It was not immediately clear how many people were killed or injured, but a doctor at a hospital in the city of Edmonton, 180 kilometers (120 miles) northwest, told Canada’s national broadcaster that patients were being brought to hospitals across the city as health-care facilities around the base became "completely overwhelmed" by the number of people needing care.
"This number of patients would overwhelm the city of Edmonton," Dr. Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, told CBC News. "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."
The town of Wainwright, near the base, has about 7,000 residents.
Defense Minister David McGuinty said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in investigating the incident and described the situation as "very, very active and delicate." He said authorities were still working to determine what happened and expected to provide further information.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said officers were called shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday following reports of a fire in a training area at the base.
Firefighters faced a volatile situation. Large areas of the province were hit during the day by a windstorm with gusts up to 100 kph (62.14 mph). The wind toppled some trees and sent signs flying and garbage cans rolling down streets.
By 11 p.m., the Municipal District of Wainwright said on social media the fire was being held and that property and critical infrastructure were protected. There was no evacuation order for residents.
McGuinty, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, confirmed the casualties but had no other details to share.
"I cannot recall such an incident in my short time for sure as a minister, but I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory," McGuinty said.
"We will have more to say in the coming hours and days," he added.
He said Armed Forces members were at the scene and that RCMP were also involved. "This is an active and delicate situation and soon to be an active and delicate investigation."
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province was sending assistance to Alberta but did not specify what resources were being deployed.
"Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected," Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier in a social media post.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as "significant and tragic" and said it was affecting many military personnel.
CFB Wainwright 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.
Canadian Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defense minister to offer support to those affected by the fire.
"Pray for Wainwright, everyone," Poilievre said in a social media post. He urged people in the area to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders.
The fire also disrupted advance voting ahead of Monday’s referendum on whether Alberta should begin a process that could lead to independence from Canada.
Elections Alberta said two polling locations, in Lloydminster and Vermilion, closed early Saturday and the ballots were transported securely.