At least seven are killed as an explosion sparks a fire at a Canadian military base and overwhelms local hospitals
Troops on a live-fire training exercise at CFB Wainwright in Alberta reportedly hit a gas line or gas well, triggering the explosion. Winds reaching 100kph drove the fire past the base perimeter and toward the town of Wainwright. Patients were evacuated to hospitals in Edmonton. Dr Warren Thirsk described the event as 'a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster'.
Defence Minister David McGuinty: 'I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory.'
Firefighters had the blaze contained by 11pm, with no critical infrastructure damaged.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating a situation McGuinty called 'very, very active and delicate'.
More
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