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Flags at Prince Albert city facilities will fly at half-mast, and a book of condolences will be available at City Hall in memory of Pte. Shaun Farrell, one of four soldiers killed in Saturday’s fire at the Canadian Forces base in Wainwright, Alta.
Community members can leave messages of sympathy for Farrell’s family in the book in the foyer of City Hall.
Read more:
- ‘United in grief’: House of Commons holds moment of silence over Wainwright tragedy
- Wainwright mayor grateful for ‘powerful’ support after deadly incident at base
- Sask. family grieving as four killed at Wainwright military base
Mayor Bill Powalinsky said the loss is being felt throughout the community.
“No words can ease the pain of losing someone you love, but we hope they find some comfort in knowing they are not alone,” he said.
Powalinsky encouraged residents to respect the privacy and dignity of the families and offer kindness wherever possible.
Tributes have come from close to home and abroad. The Prince Albert Raiders expressed support for the families of those killed, the injured and their fellow service members, saying they stood with the community and the Canadian Armed Forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also offered his country’s heartfelt condolences.
Farrell was killed alongside Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton, Pte. Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of Langley, B.C.
Defence officials said 84 members of the 3rd Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry were in the midst of training when strong, sudden winds swept a nearby grass fire across the training grounds.
Thirty-nine soldiers were taken to hospital. As of Sunday afternoon, at least 19 remained in critical condition. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said many had serious burns.
Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, said military leaders knew about a grass fire roughly a kilometre away from the training site, but it wasn’t considered a threat.
“I spoke to my commander on the ground. He said within 30 seconds to a minute they saw no fire, and then there was a fire right on top of them,” Rutland told reporters on Sunday.
A full investigation will examine the conditions and other factors that contributed to the fatal fire.
On Monday, the House of Commons held a moment of silence for the dead and wounded. Prime Minister Mark Carney said MPs were “united in grief.”
“To their friends and families, to their colleagues, to the people of Wainwright, please know that you have the entire nation at your side,” he said.
Canadian Blood Services, meanwhile, encouraged the public to book and keep donation appointments over the coming days and weeks.
The organization said it had been deeply moved by the public response, and was monitoring the needs of patients and hospitals in Alberta.
“Maintaining a healthy blood supply is an ongoing effort and donations made in the coming weeks will be just as important as those made today,” it said.
–with files from The Canadian Press
