No injuries were reported after a fire broke out in a St. Vital store on Monday morning.
A fire at the Home Depot at 1999 Abinojii Mikanah on Monday morning led to the evacuation of staff and customers, the City of Winnipeg says in a release. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) was called to the scene at 10:53 a.m.
Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke in the store and located the fire in a utility room. The building’s sprinkler system had already activated, helping to control the blaze, which was soon extinguished by the crews. No injuries were reported.
Damage from the fire was contained to the utility room. Preliminary findings suggest the fire was accidental, likely caused by a failure in a battery or charger.
WFPS is reminding the public to be cautious when charging devices with batteries. Safety tips include following the manufacturer’s instructions, using only recommended batteries and chargers, unplugging devices once they are fully charged, and charging on hard surfaces like tables or countertops. Soft surfaces such as beds, couches, or pillows should be avoided.
People should stop using or charging devices if they notice unusual heat, odd noises, leaks, changes in shape or colour, or signs of corrosion.