Four Canadian soldiers were killed and 39 others injured in a fire at a military base in Alberta, Canada, officials said Sunday. The fire occurred Saturday as members of Charlie Company, the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, were practicing attacks on enemy positions at a grenade range.
Military officials noticed the fire about a kilometre away from the base and thought they could continue with the training. However, a sudden change in wind direction meant the fire engulfed the soldiers in just 36 seconds. The fire spread quickly, leaving no way for the soldiers to escape, Major General Wade Rutland said.
The victims were identified as Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding and Private Hayden Likemark. The injured were airlifted to major hospitals in Alberta by ambulances, planes and helicopters. Some of the victims with severe burns will require months of medical treatment, officials said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his sadness at the tragedy, calling it one of the worst tragedies in Canadian military history in peacetime. He ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast on federal buildings across the country. The military and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.