Carney calls Alberta military-base fire one of Canada’s worst peacetime armed-forces tragedies as four die and dozens are seriously wounded

Prime Minister Mark Carney said four people were killed and dozens were seriously wounded when a fire swept through a Canadian military base in Alberta. He described the incident as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for the country’s armed forces.

The blaze broke out Saturday afternoon at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, about 200 kilometers southeast of Edmonton. Strong winds hampered firefighting and allowed the fire to spread beyond the training area.

Defense Minister David McGuinty and Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan were among the senior officials who addressed the incident and the coordinated response to support those affected.

Military personnel and civilian crews fought the fire through the night, while air ambulance crews were sent to assist the wounded. Carney declared national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast, and pledged long-term support for victims and their families as they recover.