Four service members killed in CFB Wainwright fire

Four Canadian Armed Forces members were killed and 39 people were injured when a fire swept through a live-munitions training exercise at CFB Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday, October 17, officials said. The military identified the dead on Sunday as Sgt. Morgan Wong and Privates Shaun Farrell, Aidan Goulding and Hayden Lykkemark. The injured included 19 people in critical condition, according to Alberta officials. The fire began in the base’s training area as Charlie Company, part of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, practiced combat attacks. Maj. Gen. Wade Rutland said a grass fire spread rapidly after winds shifted, reaching soldiers in the exercise area. He said the fire had been about one kilometre away before the change in wind direction. The cause is under investigation. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said 39 patients were receiving hospital care. Sayeh Zielke, chief executive of Acute Care Alberta, said 19 were critical, eight were stable and 12 were being treated for less serious injuries. Smith said some patients had severe burns and could need intensive treatment for weeks or months. The four service members killed were serving with the...