CFB Wainwright: Military identifies 4 dead after Alberta base fire

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The Canadian Armed Forces on Sunday night identified the four soldiers confirmed dead after a fire that also left dozens injured at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright east of Edmonton.

The soldiers have been identified as Pte. Aidan Goulding, from North Vancouver, Pte. Shaun Farrell, from Prince Albert, Sask., Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, from Langley, B.C., and Sgt. Morgan Wong, from Edmonton.

“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those we lost, and with the injured members still receiving care,” Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland told reporters on Sunday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the number of fatalities during a Sunday morning press briefing from Parliament Hill.

Carney said a “violent, fast-moving fire swept through the Canadian Armed Forces Base in Wainwright, Alta.” on Saturday night.

“What followed was one of the worst tragedies for the Forces on Canadian soil in peacetime,” he added. “I regret that I can confirm at this time that four service members have lost their lives and their next of kin have been notified. Dozens more are seriously wounded.

In an update later Sunday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said that 39 patients were in hospital with “at least” 19 critically injured.

Defence Minister David McGuinty said that the fire broke out while soldiers were training on a range at the base.

“Soldiers from bases nationwide come to Wainwright to prepare before they deploy,” McGuinty said. “Those affected included regular force soldiers, reservists and soldiers of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. They are sons and daughters and parents and partners and friends.”

McGuinty said that both military and civilian crew fought the blaze through the night.

In a Facebook post, Patricia Farrell, of Prince Albert, Sask., said her son, Shaun, was among the dead.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our son, Shaun Farrell, has passed away to be with our Heavenly Father,” Farrell said, alongside a picture of her son.

Fire started in training area

The Canadian Armed Forces said in a statement that the fire started in the training area at about 4 p.m. on Saturday and had spread “rapidly beyond the boundaries” of the location. The statement noted military and civilian emergency personnel responded quickly to control the fire.

“As emergency responders continue their work and the situation continues to evolve, the full extent of the impact remains under assessment,” said the statement. “Our immediate priority is supporting those affected and notifying next of kin.”

Rutland, inaugural commander of the revitalized 1st Canadian division, told reporters that Saturday’s exercise was for the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry, to prepare to deploy within hours where needed around the world.

“Also, they were preparing to go to Latvia in April and May … to bolster ouir brigade,” Rutland said, adding the exercise included live munitions where soldiers were throwing hand grenades on a hand grenade range as well as conducting what the military calls a section attack.

High winds had spread the fire

Rutland said a grass fire ignited during a live training excercise, and strong winds caused the fire to shift one kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Parts of Alberta saw wind gusts of up to 100 km/h on Saturday.

Wainwright RCMP noted in a news release that it had sent “numerous resources to assist” on Saturday. While its involvement had wound down, “we still have resources available if needed.”

A number of hospitals in Alberta, such as the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton and the University of Alberta Hospital, were under code orange on Saturday night.

Code orange is an emergency protocol that’s activated in a mass casualty incident.

A doctor from Royal Alexandra Hospital confirmed to the Edmonton Journal that the code orange was due to the explosion and fire at CFB Wainwright.

On Sunday night, Rutland said that people nearby reported hearing explosions at the time of the fire.

“Certainly, we do not believe this to be as a result of any oil and gas infrastructure, nor any outside interference,” he said.

“When this happens, we sent a team to look at the oil and gas infrastructure to make sure it’s not damaged,” he added. “Initial impression is it’s not, but we will definitely check.”

Albertans were being asked to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital and seek care at other emergency facilities, or primary care providers, urgent care centres or Health Link for non-emergency needs.

Smith said it was a “massive” emergency response, with 30 emergency units including 22 ground ambulances and eight aircraft deployed.

“When crisis hit, Alberta’s frontline heroes did not hesitate for a single second,” she said, adding that no additional patients were awaiting transport.

Poilievre will stay in Wainwright, mayor thanks ‘heroes’

Federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre spoke to reporters on Sunday night, saying he “made the decision to be on the first flight out to support the community” and landed earlier this afternoon.

Wainwright is in Poilievre’s federal riding of Battle River-Crowfoot.

“I’ll stay as long as necessary to support the community,” he said, adding that he expects to address Parliament remotely on Monday.

The “Conservatives are offering our support to the government to do whatever is necessary to help the military families, the base and the surrounding community,” Poilievre said.

Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh, meanwhile, referenced the “old saying that not all heroes wear capes.

“I think the last 24 hours have proven that point,” he said. “Some where a rucksack and a uniform, some a respirator and bunker gear, and some wear scrubs.”

‘Difficult moment’

Carney, Smith in ‘close contact’

Carney stated on social media on Saturday night that he and Smith were in “close contact” as the emergency response continued in Wainwright.

“A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta,” Carney wrote. “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected. We are working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities. Premier Smith and I are in close contact as are our relevant ministers and officials.”

Smith said on social media that the fire was “significant and tragic” and affected “many of our brave military personnel.”

“Thank you to the first responders and all those providing care and support to those affected,” said Smith.

CFB Wainwright is one of the largest bases operated by CAF and it regularly hosts training exercises involving military personnel from NATO countries.

– with files from Ian Shantz