World · North America · 1 hr ago
Fifth Canadian soldier dies after fire at Alberta military base
A fifth Canadian soldier has died from injuries suffered in a grass fire during training at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.
Pte.
William Douglas Dal Bianco died Friday in an Ontario hospital, after being injured in the fire on Oct.
17.
The fire swept through troops from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, as they conducted training at the base southeast of Edmonton.
Strong winds pushed flames from a grass fire toward the soldiers; four others died and 39 were injured.
The military says 24 soldiers remain hospitalized, and some injured troops face extensive treatment and rehabilitation.
The deaths have made the fire one of Canada’s worst peacetime military tragedies on home soil.
Investigations will examine the fire and safety measures, with a military board of inquiry planned to recommend ways to prevent similar incidents.
A fifth Canadian soldier has died from injuries sustained in the Oct. 17 fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta.
The Department of National Defence identified him as Private William Douglas Dal Bianco of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
He died in an Ontario hospital on Friday, officials said.
The fire initially killed four service members and injured 39 others.
The Department of National Defence said 24 soldiers remain in hospital.
- Who
- Private William Douglas Dal Bianco, a member of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
- What
- He died from injuries sustained in a fire during training at CFB Wainwright.
- When
- He died on Friday; the fire occurred on Oct. 17.
- Where
- The fire was at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. Dal Bianco died in an Ontario hospital.
- Why
- He died from injuries he sustained in the fire.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A fire during live-fire training at CFB Wainwright killed four service members and injured 39 others.
The military said 14 soldiers had been released from hospital and four had been transferred to facilities closer to their home communities.
Private William Douglas Dal Bianco died in an Ontario hospital from his injuries.
The Department of National Defence announced Dal Bianco’s death.
- Fatalities
- Five soldiers have died as a result of the fire
- Injured
- 39 service members were injured
- Hospitalized
- 24 soldiers remained in hospital, according to the Department of National Defence
- Location
- CFB Wainwright, Alberta, about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton
- Unit
- 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
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What people are saying
We will honour his dedicated service and continue to stand with all those affected by this tragedy along the difficult road ahead.
We will honour his dedicated service and continue to stand with all those affected by this tragedy along the difficult road ahead,