Sara Guglielmetti A large fire broke out at the Wainwright military base in Western Canada around 4:00 PM local time yesterday. The death toll is extremely high.
Drama in Canada: Massive fire at Wainwright military base
A massive fire broke out at Wainwright Air Force Base in Alberta, Western Canada, around 4:00 PM local time yesterday.
According to initial reports by Canadian broadcaster CBC , the fire appears to have started in an area designated for military training. Images shared on social media showed a thick column of dark smoke rising from the affected area. The facility, among other things, houses the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre and is considered one of the most active military bases in the country.
Emergency services, including several firefighting teams, arrived on the scene immediately, but no evacuation order appears to have been issued. However, the Wainwright Municipal District told CBC that emergency responders are assessing the situation and "working to protect people, property, and critical infrastructure " in the area.
The City Council posted on social media: "Avoid the area and keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles. Do not drive towards the accident site or attempt to approach it to observe it ." Residents were advised to go to Wainwright Health Centre only if there is a genuine, critical medical need, so as not to hinder the emergency management. No precise details on the circumstances of the accident were released, nor was it clear what caused the fire.
Fire breaks out at Wainwright military base, killing and injuring dozens
A large fire has broken out at the Wainwright military base in Canada. According to Global News, at least seven people have died and numerous others have been injured. Local media reported that the explosion occurred during a live-fire exercise , when the shots struck a pipeline or gas well inside the base. The flames then overflowed the perimeter of the facility and spread due to strong winds. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire. Dr. Warren Thirsk, an emergency room physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, told CBC : " This is more patients than any of us would care to count right now. It's a disaster. It's a disaster that happens once every 15 to 25 years ." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described it as " a major accident that caused a large-scale fire ." Provincial Premier Danielle Smith called the blaze " significant and tragic ."