Key facts
- Four Canadian military members died and 39 were injured in a fire at CFB Wainwright.
- The fire spread a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds due to strong winds.
- Officials do not believe the incident was caused by oil and gas infrastructure.
- The investigation into the cause is expected to take at least a month.
A fire that killed four members of the Canadian military and injured dozens more on Saturday spread with alarming speed at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta. Maj-Gen Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, stated that the fire moved a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds, which he described as not normal. Prime Minister Mark Carney called it "one of the worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime." Officials have ruled out terrorist activity and any involvement of oil and gas infrastructure. The blaze began around 4 p.m. local time during high-intensity combat training with live munitions. Wind gusts of up to 90km/h were forecast for the region. The investigation into the cause is ongoing and may take at least a month.