Canadians ‘unite in grief’ over tragedy at CFB Wainwright

Prime Minister Mark Carney says fifty investigators are on the ground in Wainwright, Alta., to determine the cause of the tragic fire at CFB Wainwright on Sunday.

They’re trying to determine the cause of the tragedy as Canadians respond to help the huge number of injured victims.

The event has touched people across the country as the army and the government tries to find out more about what happened, and how it happened.

In the House of Commons today, MPs paused to honor the victims of the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright.

“A moment of silence in memory of the victims of the tragic events at Canadian Forces base Wainwright, Alberta,” said the speaker of the house. “Mr. Speaker, the house meets today united in grief.”

WATCH MORE: Fire kills four soldiers, injures dozens at CFB Wainwright, Alberta

Carney provided a brief update on the investigation.

“What we do know is that late Saturday afternoon, in the space of a few minutes, 39 soldiers were injured,” said Carney. “Four lost their lives.”

The army identifies the soldiers killed as Pte. Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask, Pte. Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver, Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of of Langley, BC.

They were training with live ammunition at the base in eastern Alberta, when an unrelated grass fire broke out some distance away.

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The commanding general says winds were normal until a massive gust blew the fire toward the soldiers.

“Driven by ferocious winds, the fire jumped nearly a kilometre in less than a minute to where the soldiers were gathered,” said Carney. “The original cause of the fire is not yet known.”

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre recalled meeting one of the soldiers who was killed — Goulding of North Vancouver.

“I remember meeting him,” said Poilievre. “Strong, handsome, polite — a real gentleman.”

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Canadian Blood Services reports a surge of people who want to donate their own blood to help the victims.

“We’ve seen an incredible outpouring of support both online and in person, as our centres are starting to see people respond to this tragedy by coming in the doors and saying they want to help,” said Rayna Porter with Canadian Blood Services. “And thankfully, blood donation is one of the ways people can help most successfully after a tragedy like this.”

Even from half a country away, like in Hamilton, she says any one donor may have an antigen in their blood that could be sent to help a burn victim in Wainwright.

Along with the federal and provincial government flags, City of Hamilton flags will be at half-mast to honour the victims.

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