Mark Carney says Wainwright blast is "serious incident creating a major fire"

On Saturday, an explosion ripped through Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, a key training site, killing at least seven people and injuring others, according to military sources reported by Global News. Officials said the blast happened during a live‑ammunition drill when a gas line or well was hit, igniting a large fire that leapt over the fence and spread fast under winds near 100 mph. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the event a grave mishap that sparked a major blaze, while Defence Minister David McGuinty said he had not witnessed a similar incident in recent years and confirmed fatalities and injuries. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are leading the investigation, and the base normally hosts about 690 service members and 300 civilian employees.