A fifth Canadian soldier has died of injuries suffered in the October 17 training fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, the Canadian Armed Forces confirmed on November 14. The announcement brings the death toll to five, with dozens of other personnel injured.
Private William Douglas Dal Bianco of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died on November 13 while receiving medical care in Ontario. His death resulted from injuries sustained during the incident, according to National Defence’s November 14 statement.
The death was also reported by NBC News. The latest military release provides an updated account of the casualties and the circumstances in which the flames spread during the exercise.
Twenty-four personnel remain in hospital
National Defence said 24 Canadian Armed Forces members remained in hospital receiving treatment, while 14 had been released. Its casualty summary recorded 38 injured personnel in addition to the five soldiers who died. Those figures distinguish surviving injured personnel from the fatalities.
The November 14 statement did not give individual medical assessments or a timetable for the recovery of those still hospitalized. It also did not specify which hospitals were treating the other patients. Dal Bianco was receiving care in Ontario, but the release did not name his medical facility.
Flames overtook the administrative area
Members of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, were conducting live-fire training at CFB Wainwright as part of Exercise Apollo Shooter, the department said.
The incident occurred at approximately 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on October 17. A fire ignited while the troops were training. High wind speeds then allowed the flames to grow and spread very rapidly, overtaking the unit’s administrative area, according to the military’s account.
The release establishes that the fire spread during the live-fire exercise, but it does not identify the precise ignition source. It does not explain what warning personnel received, how evacuation decisions were made or the sequence of the emergency response. It therefore does not establish responsibility for the deaths.
The Eastern Herald previously reported the first confirmation of deaths at CFB Wainwright and the military’s account that the fire was known for hours before it killed four. Those reports describe the initial response; the new announcement updates the toll following Dal Bianco’s death.
Defence leaders offer condolences
Defence Minister David McGuinty extended condolences to Dal Bianco’s family, friends and fellow service members. “No words can ease the pain of losing a loved one, and my thoughts remain with all those affected by this tragedy,” he said in the statement.
McGuinty said the government remained committed to supporting families and the Canadian Armed Forces community while honouring Dal Bianco’s service, dedication and sacrifice.
General Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, said the military was “heartbroken” by the loss. She offered condolences to his family, friends and everyone who had known and served alongside him.
“We will honour his dedicated service and continue to stand with all those affected by this tragedy along the difficult road ahead,” Carignan said. She also thanked those providing care and support to injured members and their families.
Canadian Army commander Lieutenant-General Michael Wright said the army would remember Dal Bianco’s “dedicated and honourable service.” Major-General Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, extended condolences to his family and colleagues and to the loved ones of everyone lost in the fire.
Support for personnel and families
National Defence included support contacts with the announcement, including the Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program and the Family Information Line. The member assistance programme is available around the clock, the department said.
The statement focused on the latest death, the injured and support for those affected. It did not announce investigation findings or new conclusions about the cause of the fire. Four weeks after the incident, its clearest update is the continuing human toll: five soldiers dead and 24 personnel still receiving hospital treatment.
