CFB Wainwright Fire Killed 4 After Grenade Range Blaze Blocked Firefighters
Updated
Updated · CBC Sports · Oct 23
CFB Wainwright Fire Killed 4 After Grenade Range Blaze Blocked Firefighters
3 articles · Updated · CBC Sports · Oct 23
Summary
Military officials said the CFB Wainwright fire began during a training exercise on the base’s automatic grenade launcher range, where firefighters could not enter because of unexploded-ordnance risk.
Strong winds then drove the grass fire into another training area, killing four service members and leaving 27 still hospitalized, including 13 in critical condition.
Three investigations are underway — by military police, the chief medical examiner and a board of inquiry — examining training policies and why the fire was not judged a threat despite the wind.
Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland withdrew his earlier estimate that the inquiry would take about a month, saying the probe’s scope is broader and will take “as long as it takes.”