Alberta, Canada - Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty said late Saturday there were "fatalities and injuries" following an incident at a military base in western Canada.
"I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base," identified as Wainwright in Alberta, McGuinty said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney had posted to X earlier Saturday that "a serious incident creating a major fire" had occurred at the base.
"Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected," Carney continued.
"We are working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities. Premier Smith and I are in close contact as are our relevant ministers and officials."
Neither official offered details on number of casualties or the nature of the incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.
The Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire had spread rapidly due to high winds.
"The fire south of Wainwright crossed the base fence earlier today and is being actively managed ... Emergency crews remain focused on protecting life safety, homes, and other structures."
CFB Wainwright, located about 110 miles southeast of Edmonton, is one of the country's busiest military training bases and is used to train soldiers for combat operations. More than 1,000 military personnel are based there, alongside civilian employees.
"We will have more to say in the coming hours and days," McGuinty said, telling a press conference in Ottawa that he "cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory."