Several dead or injured in major fire at Canada military base
Officials have not given a cause or death toll, citing the "very active and delicate" situation at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.
Several people have been killed or injured as a result of a large fire near a Canadian military base in Alberta, the nation's defence minister has said.
David McGuinty did not confirm the cause or the number of casualties, describing the situation as "very, very active and delicate". The Canadian military and local authorities were managing the fire, he said.
Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where the fire broke out, is one of the country's busiest military training bases.
Canadian TV network Global News reports that at least seven were killed and dozens more injured when a gas line or gas well was hit during a live-fire training exercise, citing unnamed military sources.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said that a "serious incident creating a major fire" had occurred, adding that his "thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected".
After the fire erupted on Saturday, it "spread rapidly due to high winds" and had torn through the fences of the base, the Municipal District of Wainwright said.
McGuinty told reporters he "cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory".
Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith said the "significant and tragic fire" was "affecting many of [the province's] brave military personnel".
It is unclear when the fire broke out, but the district first posted about the incident at about 17:30 local time (23:30 GMT).
Local authorities have urged residents to avoid the area and give all emergency vehicles right of way.
Originally published by bbc.co.uk. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of GQ British Lifestyle.
