Four Canadian Armed Forces members were killed and 39 others were injured when an explosion rocked the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in Alberta province on Saturday afternoon. The blast triggered a massive fire that spread from the military facility into the surrounding rural area, fanned by high winds.

Prime Minister Mark Carney described the incident as one of the worst tragedies for Canadian forces on home soil during peacetime. The four service members killed have been identified as Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding, and Private Hayden Lykkemark, according to a statement from the Canadian government.

In addition to the fatalities, 39 Canadian Armed Forces members sustained injuries, with dozens reported to be in serious condition. Paramedics worked to treat the injured at the Wainwright Health Centre following the incident.

"I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory," stated Canadian Minister of National Defense David McGuinty during a news conference held Saturday night near the base. McGuinty indicated that the cause of the explosion is under active investigation, describing the situation as "very, very active and delicate."

While the investigation is ongoing, the Canadian Department of National Defense stated on Sunday that there are "no indications that it was the result of any terrorist activity." This statement aimed to allay immediate concerns about the nature of the blast.

Sources within the Canadian Armed Forces told Global News that the incident occurred during a live-fire training exercise. Preliminary reports suggest that a gas line or gas well may have been struck and ignited, leading to the explosion and subsequent fire. The fire erupted within the training area around 4 p.m. local time on Saturday.

The fire spread rapidly beyond the training area's boundaries. Military and civilian emergency services responded swiftly to control the blaze and provide support to those affected by the "tragic event," according to a government statement released Sunday morning.

Prime Minister Carney's office is actively gathering information regarding the serious incident. The explosion and fire at CFB Wainwright represent a significant loss for the Canadian military and have prompted a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event.