Fifth Canadian soldier dies from injuries sustained in CFB Wainwright fire
Private William Douglas Dal Bianco died in Ontario, raising the death toll from the Oct. 17 blaze at CFB Wainwright to five, while dozens of injured soldiers remain hospitalized.
The Department of National Defence confirmed that Private William Douglas Dal Bianco of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, died on Friday in Ontario after being seriously injured in the Oct. 17 fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alberta. The death brings the total fatalities from the incident to five, with 24 of the 38 injured soldiers still in hospital.
General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, expressed condolences to Dal Bianco’s family and fellow service members, saying, "We will honour his dedicated service and continue to stand with all those affected by this tragedy along the difficult road ahead. My thoughts are also with our injured members and their families, and I am deeply grateful to everyone involved in providing care and support during this time of tremendous sadness."
Acute Care Alberta reported that 21 soldiers were being treated in provincial hospitals, nine of them in critical condition, as of Nov. 10, and said another update would be provided on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney posted a statement on social media, noting that Canadians are holding the grieving families in their hearts and praising the soldiers’ commitment to defending the country.
Defence Minister David McGuinty also offered sympathies, stating, "No words can ease the pain of losing a loved one, and my thoughts remain with all those affected by this tragedy," and affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the families.
The fire, which began as a smouldering grass blaze and was intensified by high winds, engulfed the training area on the base. Multiple investigations are under way, including inquiries by Alberta’s chief medical examiner and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service. A board of inquiry has been promised but has not yet convened.
Four other soldiers who died in the blaze—Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding and Private Hayden Lykkemark—were also members of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Their funerals have been held or are scheduled, and the incident is being described as one of Canada’s worst peacetime training tragedies.