Ending our live coverage for nowpublished at 00:10 BST 19 October
We're ending our live coverage of the fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta.
To read more on the latest developments, you can go here.
Summary
Four soldiers killed after a major fire at a Canadian military base have been named, as officials say another 39 people were taken to hospital
At least 19 of those in hospital are in a critical condition after a grass fire spread on Saturday, officials say
Carney says the "violent, fast-moving" fire led to "one of the worst tragedies" for the military in peacetime
"It was like a scene out of a war movie," says a hospital resident who witnessed a military vehicle and ambulances bringing injured people in
Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where the fire broke out about 16:00 local time (22:00 GMT) on Saturday, is one of the country's busiest military training bases
Carney: 'Canada must now serve' service members killed in fire
Ending our live coverage for nowpublished at 00:10 BST 19 October
How did a fire kill four soldiers and injure 39 people? What we heard from the news briefingpublished at 23:28 BST 18 October
Image source, ReutersA deadly fire occurred at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in Alberta.
After a statement from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and a news briefing by officials, we now know more about what happened.
Here’s a recap of the latest update from the authorities today.
Casualties and rescue effort
- The four people who died in the incident were all serving with 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry - here are their names
- Thirty-nine patients are being treated in hospital, and at least 19 are in a critical condition
- About 30 emergency units, including 22 ground ambulances and eight aircraft, responded to CFB Wainwright when the incident broke out
How did the fire happen?
- Soldiers were carrying out grenade and attack training before the fire
- A grass fire started in the training area, and "uncommonly strong winds" caused it to spread rapidly and change direction
- While there are reports of explosions, "we do not believe this [incident] to be a result of any oil and gas infrastructure nor any outside interference", officials say
- The cause of the incident remains under investigation
Rutland: Those injured were on the section of the attack rangepublished at 22:56 BST 18 October
Image source, ReutersThe people who were hurt were on a section attack range, not on a grenade range, Rutland says in response to a media question.
Asked whether they practise during high winds, Rutland says they do.
Part of the battalion has been moved out of the training area. The rest had a maintenance day on Sunday but will resume training soon, as they’re still due to go to Latvia, he says.
It’s unclear when that training will resume, Rutland says.
The news conference has now ended. We’ll bring you a recap of what we’ve just heard soon.
Fire 'not expected' to move near the range - Rutlandpublished at 22:51 BST 18 October
Rutland is asked for more details about how the fire spread.
He says soldiers were split between a section attack range and a grenade range on the military base when the fire was about a kilometre away.
He adds that the fire was "not expected" to move near the range, but later struck the administration area of the attack range.
Rutland is also asked if he can reassure people this won't happen again.
He says this was a "very uncommon" occurrence, and an investigation is under way to find out if it was preventable. That needs to play out so they can get answers.
Investigation could take at least a month, official sayspublished at 22:47 BST 18 October
Image source, Reuters"There was a multitude of ordnance moving through the Wainwright training area yesterday," Rutland says.
That included a grenade launcher, grenades, small arms and ammunition.
The investigation can take at least one month, he says.
Identities of soldiers who died in fire confirmedpublished at 22:45 BST 18 October
BreakingWe have now confirmed the identities of the people who died in the incident. They are:
- Sergeant Morgan Wong, from the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, based in Edmonton, Alberta, and serving with 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
- Private Shaun Farrell, from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta
- Private Aidan Goulding, from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta
- Private Hayden Lykkemark, from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta
‘Not normal’ for a fire to move so quickly, Rutland sayspublished at 22:44 BST 18 October
Rutland is asked about the mood at the army base.
He says most of the soldiers were from Edmonton and the incident has caused "a lot of stress and strain".
He is then asked about the protocol for operations at the base in high winds.
He says it is the military, "so we have protocol for everything".
He adds that a system is in place and the weather was well within standard procedure for most of the day.
Rutland says the fire was kilometres away when the wind shifted and it is "not normal" for a fire to move a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds.
Soldiers were throwing grenades and carrying out attack training - officialpublished at 22:38 BST 18 October
When asked about the training, Maj-Gen Rutland says the infantry was preparing for two roles.
One was for a global response task force, which is ready to move within hours to any hot spot around the world.
The other was preparation for a deployment to Latvia in April and May.
"This was high-intensity combat training with live munitions," he says.
"They were throwing hand grenades on a hand grenade range and conducting what we call a section attack, 10 soldiers attacking a simulated enemy," he adds.
Authorities 'do not believe' fire was caused by oil and gas infrastructurepublished at 22:33 BST 18 October
Rutland also says that, while there are reports of explosions, "we do not believe this [incident] to be a result of any oil and gas infrastructure nor any outside interference".
He says the top priority is the care of soldiers and their families at this time, adding that the Canadian Armed Forces is providing support.
Rutland has also named the four army members who were killed. We will identify them and bring you their names shortly.
Rutland then opens the floor to questions from reporters.
Grass fire ignited in training area - officialpublished at 22:29 BST 18 October
Image source, ReutersMaj-Gen Wade Rutland, commander of 1st Canadian Division, says the army responded to a "serious fire incident" during a training exercise conducted by the Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry at about 16:00 local time on Saturday.
During the training, a grass fire ignited in the training area, he says, adding that the cause is under active investigation.
"What I would say is there was multiple training activities happening throughout the training area at the time," he says.
"Uncommonly strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly and shift direction towards the range administrative area."
Almost 40 patients in hospital, with at least 19 in critical condition, premier sayspublished at 22:24 BST 18 October
Image source, ReutersThirty-nine patients are being cared for in hospital, and at least 19 are in a critical condition, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says.
About 30 emergency units, including 22 ground ambulances and eight aircraft, were sent directly to Wainwright when the incident broke out, she adds.
'Albertans are lining up to give blood'published at 22:20 BST 18 October
Soldiers from bases across the country come to Wainwright to prepare before deploying, McGuinty says.
Those affected by the incident included regular force soldiers, reservists and members of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, he says.
McGuinty thanks Alberta's firefighters, paramedics and emergency teams who have "answered the call".
"Albertans are lining up to give blood," he says.
After briefly switching to French, he finishes his statement.
Defence minister confirms four service members died in incidentpublished at 22:17 BST 18 October
Image source, ReutersMinister of National Defence David McGuinty starts by saying a "violent fast-moving" fire broke out at the base yesterday while soldiers were training.
He says four service members lost their lives and their families have been notified, while dozens of others were injured.
He thanks the doctors and paramedics treating the injured, saying they will receive the care they need.
Reporters will be able to ask questions after officials give updatespublished at 22:12 BST 18 October
Image source, ReutersAn army official opens the news conference by introducing the speakers: Minister of National Defence David McGuinty, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Maj-Gen Wade Rutland, commander of 1st Canadian Division.
He adds that reporters will have the opportunity to ask questions once the speakers have finished.
News briefing on Wainwright base fire beginspublished at 22:05 BST 18 October
BreakingAuthorities are holding a news conference to provide updates on Saturday’s fire at Wainwright military base.
Watch live above.
Officials to hold news briefing on fire at Wainwright basepublished at 21:50 BST 18 October
Canadian officials are set to provide an update on the incident at 15:00 local time (21:00 GMT / 22:00 BST).
Those attending the briefing are:
- David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
- Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta
- Maj-Gen Wade Rutland, commander of 1st Canadian Division
We will bring you the key points as they emerge. You can also watch live above. Stay with us.
'It was like a scene out of a war movie,' says hospital residentpublished at 21:19 BST 18 October
Image source, ReutersBrandon Simmons, who lives in long-term care at the Wainwright Health Centre, witnessed the aftermath of the fire at the military base last night.
He tells Reuters news agency that the site went into code orange and that nurses had dropped everything and immediately started grabbing stretchers, gurneys and any medical equipment they could before running to the front entrance.
At the same time, he says, a military vehicle arrived at the centre and started unloading injured people, while nurses tried to stabilise everyone and “calm them down”.
Brandon says he remembers seeing people with burns, while one person had their clothes "blown off" and was wearing only underwear.
"I heard people screaming inside of those vehicles that will never end up being out of my mind," he recalls, saying it was "like a scene from a war movie".
Brandon says ambulances kept coming "throughout the night", with between 12 and 20 parked along the road at one time.
'Code orange' emergency designation deactivatedpublished at 21:00 BST 18 October
Image source, EVNAll “code orange” activations in Alberta have now been halted, Acute Care Alberta says in a statement.
A code orange is an emergency designation used in Canada during a disaster or mass-casualty incident involving multiple severely injured patients who need medical care.
The statement also reports the scale of the emergency response.
It says Emergency Health Services Alberta deployed 30 units directly to Wainwright, including 22 ground ambulances, six fixed-wing units and two rotary-wing units.
The agency says the active emergency response was sustained across the system for more than 10 hours.
As of today, patients have been transferred from Wainwright Health Centre to four facilities: the University of Alberta Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Foothills Medical Centre and Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, the agency adds.
Pictures show vegetation smouldering at Wainwright basepublished at 20:43 BST 18 October
Images we’ve just received show the aftermath of the fire at the Canadian military base, which is now contained.
Some vegetation can still be seen smouldering.
Earlier, Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh told us fire and rescue teams remained at the scene to contain any potential flare-up.
Image source, EPA
Image source, EPA
Image source, EVNLoss of life 'heartbreaking', says Alberta premierpublished at 20:20 BST 18 October
Image source, ReutersAlberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province is in mourning alongside those affected by the “tragic incident” at the Wainwright military base.
“The loss of life and injuries are heartbreaking,” she writes on social media, adding that her thoughts are with those “facing uncertainty and grief during this incredibly difficult time”.
Smith says she will travel to Edmonton later today to meet provincial ministers and federal officials. An Emergency Management Cabinet Coordination Committee has also been convened.
