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

Four dead and 39 injured. Tragedy at the Armed Forces base in Wainwright. A fire broke out while soldiers were in combat training this weekend. One of the worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime. The tragedy also being felt here in Newfoundland and Labrador, where government flags are flying at half-mast I know a lot, you know, Newfoundlanders leave their big units and end up in Wainwright to go for deployments, so I was wondering if there was anybody I knew. Local veteran Patrick Dunn says the military is a small family where everyone gets to know each other. I think the first thing I would say is that the country is behind you. Canada loves its military. That's what I find. I, uh, when people find out that the first thing I hear when somebody finds out that I'm a veteran, I'm going to say a veteran. First thing I hear all the time, 100% of the time, thank you for your service. Uh, so the whole country's behind everybody trying to support. CBC spoke with a St. John's man with family who were previously stationed at the base. Jordan Dober says he's since learned his loved ones are safe. My blood pressure skyrocketed and I got on the horn and parked right up. But, yeah, it was a very emotional morning, sadly. Local political leaders sending condolences. Premier Tony Wakeham said in a statement he's been in touch with Alberta's Premier. Newfoundland and Labrador has a proud and enduring military history, and our connection to the Canadian Armed Forces runs deep," Wakeham said. We recognize that a tragedy like this is felt throughout the military community, across our province, and across the country. Laura Howells, CBC News, St. John's.