OMM Newsroom
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged “all the resources” needed for a thorough investigation into a fire at a military training area in Alberta that killed four soldiers and injured 39 others. Anadolu Agency reported that 50 investigators are at the scene.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is leading what Carney called a complete investigation, with support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
“We will ensure that they have all the resources they need to complete their work thoroughly and expeditiously,” Carney told the House of Commons in Ottawa.
The fire broke out on Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where soldiers from the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and Army Reserve members training alongside them were conducting live-fire exercises.
“A fire was burning in the training area, driven by ferocious winds. The fire jumped nearly a kilometer, in less than a minute, to where the soldiers were gathered,” Carney said.
“What we do know is that late Saturday afternoon, in the space of a few minutes, 39 soldiers were injured. Four lost their lives,” he added.
Carney said military and civilian crews battled the blaze “in some of the worst conditions imaginable.” Paying tribute to the soldiers, he said: “They were training to defend Canada, to serve Canada. Now Canada serves them.”
The fire and an explosion erupted on Saturday afternoon at the base, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) southeast of Edmonton. Strong winds hampered firefighting efforts as the blaze spread beyond the training area.
