Family of Soldier Burned in CFB Wainwright Fire Clings to Hope Through a Long Recovery

CFB Wainwright fire survivor Cpl. Sean Hiatt is fighting for his life in an Edmonton burn unit, and the people who love him are fighting alongside him in the only way they can: by refusing to give up hope. The 24-year-old, who grew up near Edson, Alberta, suffered second-degree burns across roughly half his body in Saturday’s blaze, which claimed the lives of four soldiers and injured 39 others.

His sister and girlfriend, sitting together in a quiet coffee shop in Edson, are determined to stay strong. It is, they say, what Sean would expect of them.

A Weekend That Changed Everything

Teresa Hiatt, Sean’s older sister, learned something was wrong while out for dinner on Saturday evening. A social media post mentioned an incident at CFB Wainwright, and she knew her brother was there for training. She immediately reached out to Sara Dizon, Sean’s partner of four years, to find out when she had last heard from him.

Panic set in quickly. Teresa remembers repeating to her husband that she could not cope with what might be unfolding. He took over, phoning hospitals until he learned Sean had been taken to the facility in Wainwright.

Sara, meanwhile, dialled Sean’s number again and again with no response. When his mother called her in tears, Sara braced for devastating news. Instead, she heard the words she needed: he was alive. In that moment, nothing else mattered.

The First Sight of Him

The next morning, the two women drove to Edmonton, where Sean had been moved to the University of Alberta Hospital and its specialised burn unit. No amount of preparation could soften what they found.

Sean lay sedated, a breathing tube in his throat, his face wrapped in bandages. His ears and nose had been burned. Both women say they broke down on the spot.

Teresa describes an overwhelming urge to gather him up and reassure him, paired with the crushing realisation that there was nothing she could do. Sara, who had never seen him in anything like that state, says she cannot stop picturing what he endured.

What Happened at the Base

The fire erupted on Saturday afternoon while soldiers were engaged in live-fire training at the Alberta base. According to military officials, a grass fire in the vicinity had initially been assessed as contained. A sudden and powerful shift in wind changed that in moments, sending flames racing across the training area and overtaking soldiers before they could escape.

Four died. Dozens more were hurt. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Road Ahead

For Sean’s family, the focus for now is narrow: getting him through the critical early phase of treatment. Doctors are working to stabilise him while assessing the full scope of his injuries, including possible damage to his lungs from smoke inhalation. Surgeries and skin grafts are likely.

The medical team has been candid about what lies ahead. Recovery, they have told the family, will be measured in months rather than weeks, a marathon rather than a sprint.

In that context, even the tiniest signs carry enormous weight. When the family said goodnight to him recently, Sean wiggled his thumb. Teresa recalls the joy of seeing that small movement, proof that he was still there and still fighting.

A Large Family Rallies

Sean is one of 11 siblings, with relatives spread across different communities and provinces. His parents have relocated to Edmonton to stay close to the hospital, while other family members juggle work, children and long drives to be at his bedside.

Teresa has temporarily closed her coffee shop to devote herself to her brother’s care. It is a sacrifice she makes without hesitation.

The Military Family Steps Up

One source of comfort has been the outpouring of support from the wider military community. Veterans, local restaurants and others have been delivering food and offering assistance to families keeping vigil at the hospital.

Teresa says the experience has given her a glimpse of the bond that Sean always spoke about, and she now understands why he loved serving. The closeness of that community, she says, has been overwhelming in the best way.

Grief Alongside Hope

The family’s relief at Sean’s survival is tempered by sorrow for those who did not make it. One of the four soldiers killed was a member of Sean’s own unit, someone he knew personally. Teresa worries about how he will process that loss when he is well enough to understand it, adding an emotional burden to an already daunting physical recovery.

A Message for Sean

Asked what she would say to her boyfriend, Sara’s answer is simple. His loved ones are here, they are waiting, and they will not give up on him. She is certain he feels the same.

Sean, she says, is tough. He is outgoing, bubbly and easy to love, and he does not go down without a fight. For a family holding onto hope in the hardest of circumstances, that belief is carrying them through.