A fifth Canadian soldier has died following injuries sustained during a grass fire that swept through a military training site last month. Private William Douglas Dal Bianco passed away on Friday while receiving medical treatment in Ontario, the Canadian Armed Forces confirmed in a formal statement.
The fire occurred on October 17 at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta. The blaze reportedly ignited during a live-fire training exercise involving members of the 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and spread rapidly across a kilometre in seconds due to strong winds. Military officials initially reported that the fire caught those on the base by surprise, and firefighters could not immediately contain the flames because they were located within a restricted danger zone containing unspent explosives.
Investigations suggest the fire was likely sparked by a grenade launcher used on the base’s range. Prime Minister Mark Carney described the event as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for the Canadian armed forces on domestic soil.
Following the tragedy, 38 military personnel were reported injured. As of Saturday, the Canadian Armed Forces stated that 14 personnel have been released from medical care, while 24 remain in hospital receiving treatment.
Key facts
- Private William Douglas Dal Bianco died on Friday from injuries sustained in the October 17 fire.
- The blaze occurred at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in the province of Alberta.
- A total of 38 military personnel were injured, with 24 currently remaining in hospital.
- The fire was likely ignited by a grenade launcher during a live-fire training exercise.
- Gen Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, stated the armed forces were "heartbroken" by the loss.
Why it matters
The Canadian government has pledged continued support for the families and the military community affected by the disaster. Defence Minister David McGuinty emphasized the military's commitment to honoring the service and sacrifice of those involved as the forces process the impact of the loss.
Source: BBC
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