Fifth Canadian soldier dies from injuries suffered in military training fire

Pte. William Douglas Dal Bianco of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry died Friday in an Ontario hospital from injuries suffered in the fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, the Department of National Defence said in a news release Saturday. The incident occurred during afternoon live-fire training about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, where a grass fire burning in a permanent danger area prevented base firefighters from accessing it. Sudden strong winds — Environment and Climate Change Canada had issued weather warnings for parts of Alberta that day — rapidly spread the flames.

In the initial aftermath, the fire killed four service members and injured 39 others. Dal Bianco's death brings the fatality count to five. The DND release said 24 soldiers remain in hospital nationwide. As of earlier this week, 21 soldiers were still in Alberta facilities, with 15 on ventilators and nine in critical condition, according to Acute Care Alberta. Four soldiers were moved to health-care facilities in British Columbia and Ontario last week to continue treatment closer to home, including three at the Ross Tilley Burn Centre at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Gen. Jennie Carignan, the chief of the defence staff, offered condolences. "We will honour his dedicated service and continue to stand with all those affected by this tragedy along the difficult road ahead," Carignan said. Carney stated Dal Bianco and other service members were training to defend the country, "choosing to put the futures of other Canadians before their own." Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was heartbroken, adding, "Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and Canadian Armed Forces community mourning this profound loss."