Four Canadian soldiers dead after fire at CFB Wainwright, province says

Four members of the Canadian Armed Forces have died and an unspecified number of others are injured in Alberta hospitals following a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Premier Danielle Smith said in a post on X Sunday afternoon.

Smith said she was at the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre alongside Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety Mike Ellis, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Adriana LaGrange, federal Minister of National Defence David McGuinty and Acute Care Alberta interim CEO Dr. Sayeh Zielke when the update was issued.

"Four members of the Canadian Armed Forces have lost their lives in service to our country," Smith said. "Many more are injured and in recovery across our hospitals. Every part of the response is being coordinated, from first responders through to the hospitals treating the injured and the critical care teams working right now."

Smith said Alberta would "provide whatever support is requested" to the Canadian Armed Forces.

Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, who previously served as Alberta's military liaison, said in a post on X Sunday morning that he extends his "deepest gratitude" to first responders and health care workers providing care.

Bow River MP David Bexte said in a post on X Sunday that people can help by donating blood through Canadian Blood Services at blood.ca, by calling 1-888-236-6283 or by using the GiveBlood app.

A live update from federal and provincial officials and the Canadian Armed Forces was streamed on CPAC Sunday afternoon. The province has not released details on the cause of the fire, the number of injured or which hospitals are treating patients.