‘The country is behind you,’ says N.L. veteran in wake of tragedy at CFB Wainwright

Like many other Canadians, Jordan Dowber of St. John’s said he started his Sunday with a heavy heart after he heard about the tragic fire that took place at a Canadian Armed Forces base in Wainwright, Alta., on Saturday — where many of his own friends and family members have previously resided.

“When I heard about that this morning it kind of perked me up right out of bed and I freaked…out and, you know, texted everybody just like, is everyone OK?” he told CBC News on Sunday.

Dowber found out later that none of his loved ones were on the base.

Officials have confirmed four service members were killed and 39 people were injured and taken to hospital, including 19 in critical condition, following a grass fire that broke out while soldiers were training. 

At a press conference on Sunday, Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division of the Canadian Armed Forces, said the fire broke out during a high-intensity combat training exercise using live munitions.

While it isn’t known yet exactly how the fire started, Rutland said there will be an investigation.

While Dowber no longer has loved ones in Wainwright himself, he is worried about those who do.

“It’s really disturbing that so many families are, you know, dealing with loved ones that are not doing OK right now,” he said. “It’s a very, you know, tumultuous and traumatic day for a lot of Canadians.” 

Flags flying at half mast in N.L. as Wainwright tragedy hits home

In a statement Sunday afternoon, N.L. Premier Tony Wakeham expressed his condolences.

“Newfoundland and Labrador has a proud and enduring military history, and our connection to the Canadian Armed Forces runs deep. We recognize that a tragedy like this is felt throughout the military community, across our province and across the country,” wrote Wakeham.

“We stand alongside the people of Wainwright, all Albertans and Canada’s military community during this incredibly difficult time.”

Wakeham said flags at the Confederation building and offices across the province will be lowered to half mast.

N.L. military veteran, Patrick Dunne, also said he is feeling grief after Saturday’s tragedy.

Dunne was a master warrant officer with the Canadian Armed Forces from 1978 to 1994, and is now a volunteer with the military.

He told CBC Radio’s The St. John’s Morning Show fire exercises are a very common part of military training, but this is the first time he has heard of an incident on this scale.

“I haven’t heard of anything like this since I joined in 1978 till now. I’ve heard of instances, but not to this magnitude,” he said.

Patrick Dunne, who served as a master warrant officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, says he has seen an outpouring of support from Canadians across the country, (Jonny Hodder/CBC)

Dunne suspects that after a thorough investigation, the military will put what they learned from the tragedy into policy. 

 “The Canadian military is very safe about what they do. They don’t want to see this stuff happening either,” he said. 

4 dead, at least 19 in critical condition after deadly fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta

Canadians mourning after fire kills 4 service members at CFB Wainwright

In the wake of the tragedy, Dunne said he has seen an outpouring of support from Canadians across the country, including Albertans who have stepped up to donate blood. 

And he had a message for those still struggling after the incident.

“The country is behind you. Canada loves its military,” he said. “They’re doing everything they can to support these people and the whole country is the same way.”

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.