A devastating fire broke out at a Canadian military base in Alberta, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers and injuring dozens of others. The blaze spread with alarming speed, fueled by strong winds, and moved approximately a kilometre in just 30 to 60 seconds.
What happened
The fire erupted at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, a major military training base, on Saturday. It began in a grassy training area and quickly spread due to the strong winds. According to Maj-Gen Wade Rutland, the fire's rapid movement was unusual, stating that it is not normal for a fire to move such a distance in a short time frame.
Prime Minister Mark Carney described the incident as one of the worst tragedies for the Canadian military on home soil in peacetime. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but officials have ruled out any terrorist activity. The investigation into the incident is ongoing and may take at least a month to complete.
The soldiers who died in the fire were identified as Sgt Morgan Wong, Pte Shaun Farrell, Pte Aidan Goulding, and Pte Hayden Lykkemark. They were part of a group training to join the Canadian Armed Forces' Global Response Task Force. Of the 39 injured people receiving care in hospital, at least 19 are in critical condition.
