Emergency crews respond to incident, fire at CFB Wainwright
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Canada’s defence minister has confirmed that there were people killed and injured in an incident Saturday afternoon at CFB Wainwright.
“I’m saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base,” David McGuinty said in a statement.
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“The Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence, partners across the federal government, including Public Safety are working with the government of Alberta and municipal governments to mobilize all necessary, support, and working through the details of what actually occurred,” McGuinty added.
McGuinty said he “cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory.”
Alberta MP Dane Lloyd, himself a Canadian Army reservist, posted to Facebook about the incident, which happened Saturday afternoon.
“Hearing terrible news out of CFB Wainwright,” Lloyd posted, adding that it resulted “in significant casualties.”
“Please keep our soldiers, their families and the community of Wainwright in your prayers.”
Royal Alexandra Hospital under code orange
The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton is currently under code orange — which is activated in a mass casualty event.
A doctor at the Royal Alexandra Hospital confirmed to Postmedia the code orange is due to the explosion at Wainwright.
The University of Alberta hospital was also under code orange Saturday night.
Wainwright RCMP, in a release just before 9 p.m. said they were called to the base about 4 p.m.
“Early reports were that there was a fire at a training area,” the release said.
“The RCMP sent numerous resources to assist. Our initial involvement is winding down, though we still have resources available if needed.”
A Saturday evening statement from Acute Care Alberta indicated that Emergency Health Services Alberta “is on scene, and supporting care and transport related to an incident at CFB Wainwright.”
Politicians react to ‘significant fire’
Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated that the incident had created a “major fire.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose riding is home to CFB Wainwright expressed support for the base and the community.
“Thank you to the brave firefighters and emergency responders working to save lives,” Poilievre said in a statement.
“I have spoken to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence to offer our support to everyone on the base and in the community.”
Premier Danielle Smith referred to the incident as a “significant and tragic fire.”
In a Facebook post, Wainwright Fire & Rescue indicated that multiple agencies were responding to the resulting fire.
The fire also forced the closure of an advance voting station for the Alberta referendum.
More to come.
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