People Killed and Injured in Major Fire at Alberta Military Base

People have been killed and injured in a large fire near a Canadian military base in Alberta, Defence Minister David McGuinty said, without confirming the number of casualties. BBC

The fire broke out at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright. Prime Minister Mark Carney said a "serious incident creating a major fire" had occurred, a description he repeated on Saturday. Reuters

McGuinty described the situation as "very, very active and delicate". He said the Canadian Armed Forces were working with local authorities to manage the fire and investigating its cause.

Speaking to reporters, McGuinty said he cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory.

Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is one of Canada's busiest military training bases. The Municipal District of Wainwright, the local government for the area, said the blaze spread rapidly due to high winds and tore through the fences of the base.

The district first posted about the incident at about 17:30 local time. Local authorities urged residents to avoid the area and give all emergency vehicles right of way.