A fifth soldier has died following the fire at the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright. Pte. William Douglas Dal Bianco of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) died on Friday as a result of the injuries he sustained in the Oct. 17 fire, the Canadian Armed Forces said in a media release the next day. “The Canadian Army will remember William’s dedicated and honourable service to the Canadian Armed Forces and to Canada. We stand with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, said in a statement. The fire broke out during live fire training on the base and was spurred on by high wind speeds. Forty three CAF members were injured in the fire when it overtook an administrative area. “We are heartbroken by the loss of Private William Douglas Dal Bianco,” said Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan. ”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.” As of Saturday, the CAF said five of the members caught in the fire had died, 24 remained in hospital and 14 had been released from hospital.
