A major fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta left people dead and injured on Saturday, with hospitals reportedly struggling to cope with a large influx of casualties.
Firefighters battled the blaze late into the night as strong winds pushed flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright into nearby rural areas.
The number of people killed or injured was not immediately known. Dr Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, told CBC News that hospitals across the city were receiving patients as healthcare facilities near the base became overwhelmed.
“It’s a disaster. It’s a one in every 15- to 25-year disaster,” Thirsk said, describing the scale of the emergency.
Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed the casualties but said authorities were still trying to establish what had happened. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, he described the situation as “very, very active and delicate.”
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said officers were called shortly after 4pm on Saturday following reports of a fire in a training area at the base. Police were involved in the investigation, while members of the Canadian Armed Forces were also at the scene.
McGuinty said he could not recall a similar incident in recent memory and that authorities would provide further details in the coming hours and days.
Firefighters faced difficult conditions as a windstorm swept across large parts of Alberta, with gusts reaching 100 kilometres per hour. The winds toppled trees, blew signs over and sent garbage cans rolling through streets.
By 11pm, the Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire was being contained and that property and critical infrastructure had been protected. No evacuation order had been issued for residents.
The town of Wainwright, near the base, has a population of about 7,000.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province was sending assistance to Alberta but did not specify what resources would be provided.
“Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a social media post.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as “significant and tragic,” saying it had affected many military personnel.
Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defence minister to offer support to those affected. He also urged people in the area to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders.
Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is one of the country's busiest military training facilities. It houses the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides military training.
The fire also disrupted advance voting ahead of Monday's referendum on whether Alberta should begin a process that could lead to independence from Canada.
Elections Alberta said two polling stations, in Lloydminster and Vermilion, closed early on Saturday, with the ballots transported securely.