CFB Wainwright fire began on automatic grenade launcher range, military says

A tragic fire taken the lives of four service members at CFB Wainwright. Military officials now revealing new details that the devastating fire was caused by a training exercise using grenades and couldn't be tackled right away because the area was too dangerous. The fire initially remained within the permanent danger area 2 of the range, which restricted the firefighters' ability to conduct direct suppressive operations. operations. Around 4 p.m. wind suddenly picked up, the flames overtaking another training area with catastrophic results. Officials questioned why the training went ahead. Internal documents obtained by CBC News advise live fire exercises between August and October should take place in the morning. What I'd say is that's a guideline and commanders on the ground have to assess multiple factors in order to decide whether or not to go ahead with shooting. The 27 soldiers are still in hospital. 13 remain in critical condition. I've heard unbelievable stories of valour and heroism over the past few days from those that were on the ground. The mother of Sean Farrell, one of the fallen soldiers, said he knew he wanted to join the military from a young age. What goes through any parent's mind when they lose their child, their baby? I'm just wondering what my future is going to be like without him in our lives. The family said for Farrell, his comrades in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry became like family. He never left any of them behind. He was always there supporting them and encouraging them. There are still many questions of what happened. Three investigations are underway, two military, one civilian. We will not shy away from answers, whatever hard truths they may reveal. The military says training at CFB Wainwright has resumed and the battalion will soon be redeployed. Now, Stephanie, what more have we heard about the soldiers still in hospital? The soldiers still have a long recovery ahead of them. And additional nurses who specialize in burn recovery have been brought in from Ontario to help with the patients still in critical condition. and Alberta is receiving additional support from health authorities from across the country. All right, that's Stephanie Cram in Edmonton.