A fifth Canadian Armed Forces member has died from injuries sustained in the Oct. 17 fire during a live-fire training exercise at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright, the military said in a Nov. 14 release.
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Pte. William Douglas Dal Bianco, a member of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died Nov. 13 while receiving medical care in Ontario, according to the Canadian Armed Forces.
Soldier was among dozens injured in fire
The military said 24 of the 38 members injured in the fire remain in hospital, while 14 have been released.
Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, said the entire military is heartbroken over the loss.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Private William Douglas Dal Bianco,” said Carignan.
Carignan said she will honour Dal Bianco’s service and continue to support those affected “along the difficult road ahead,” and thanked those providing care to injured members and their families.
Defence Minister David McGuinty also 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,” said McGuinty.
Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, said the army will remember Dal Bianco’s honourable service to Canada. Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, offered condolences to Dal Bianco’s family and to the loved ones of everyone lost in the fire.
“We remain committed to supporting those affected and supporting the well-being of our people,” said Rutland.
Four other soldiers killed in October fire
Dal Bianco’s death brings the total number of soldiers killed to five following the fire, which left four members dead and dozens injured when it broke out Oct. 17.
The Canadian Armed Forces identified the four soldiers killed that day in its Oct. 18 release as Sgt. Morgan Wong, Pte. Shaun Farrell, Pte. Aidan Goulding and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark.
Wong served with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment while attached to 3 PPCLI, and the three privates belonged to the Edmonton-based battalion, according to the military.
Members of the battalion were conducting live-fire training as part of Exercise Apollo Shooter when strong winds pushed the fire rapidly into the unit’s administrative area, the Canadian Armed Forces said.
At an Oct. 22 briefing, Rutland said the soldiers were preparing for a pairs firing exercise when the flames reached their position, and acknowledged the fire had been known about beforehand but had not initially been considered a threat.
“Canadians and families are rightly asking how that assessment was reached, what information it was based on, and whether different decisions should have been made,” Rutland said.
Investigation into fire’s cause continues
The Canadian Forces provost marshal said in an Oct. 22 statement the fire began on an automatic grenade-launcher range during routine training and was initially burning within a designated range danger area, which restricted direct firefighting efforts.
The fire was monitored throughout the day before a shift in wind direction and speed increased its intensity, according to the provost marshal’s statement.
Military police are investigating whether any criminal or service offences occurred, and the Canadian Armed Forces has launched a separate board of inquiry into the incident.
The Nov. 14 release did not include investigation findings or new details on what ignited the fire.
CFB Wainwright, located roughly two hours southwest of Lloydminster, is a major economic and employment hub for the region, and the incident has drawn close attention from residents on both sides of the border.
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