CFB Wainwright fire fifth soldier death, Digi Mart USA News (Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alberta): A fifth soldier injured in a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta has died, the Department of National Defence said in a news release published on Saturday.
Pte. William Douglas Dal Bianco, of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI), died Friday in an Ontario hospital from injuries he sustained in the fire on October 17, the department said.
The fire occurred during afternoon live-fire training at the base, located roughly 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton. Military officials have previously said a grass fire was burning in a permanent danger area within the base, preventing base firefighters from accessing it.
Sudden strong winds, for which Environment and Climate Change Canada had issued weather warnings for various parts of Alberta that day, rapidly spread the flames.
The fire initially killed four service members and injured 39 others. According to Saturday’s news release, 24 soldiers are still in hospital.
National Defence Minister David McGuinty and military officials, including Gen. Jennie Carignan, the country’s top soldier, were quoted in the release offering condolences to loved ones and troops who knew Dal Bianco.
Carignan said, “We will honour his dedicated service and continue to stand with all those affected by this tragedy along the difficult road ahead.”
