Canada military base fire live: Multiple deaths and injuries after explosion sparks disaster in Alberta
Defence minister David McGuinty describes the situation as ‘very, very active and delicate’
Several people have been killed or injured at a military base in Canada after a major fire broke out, the nation’s defence minister said.
Emergency services were called shortly after 4pm on Saturday after the blaze erupted at the Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, which is one of the country’s busiest training grounds.
Defence Minister David McGuinty said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in investigating the incident and described the situation as "very, very active and delicate."
Local media has reported seven deaths and dozens more injured. A doctor at a hospital in the city of Edmonton, 180 km (120 miles) northwest, told Canada's national broadcaster that patients were being brought to hospitals across the city as health-care facilities around the base became "completely overwhelmed" by the number of people needing care.
"It is more patients than any of us want to count right now. It's a disaster. It's a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster,” Dr Warren Thirsk said.
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".
