Winnipeg, MB – At 3:13 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2025, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire in a large garage / shop in the 2200 block of Knowles Avenue.
Upon arrival at the scene, crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. Water tankers were used to shuttle water to the scene as the fire was outside the City of Winnipeg water district.
Freezing temperatures created challenging conditions for firefighters, with the area around the scene being ice-covered and slippery. Crews were rotated in and out of operations as required to provide them with breaks from the cold.
The fire was declared under control at 4:43 p.m.
No one was in the structure at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available, but the structure is expected to be a complete loss.
SAFETY REMINDERS
With the extreme cold weather forecast, residents are using heating appliances and plugging in their vehicles. We want to make sure you are doing so safely.
Heating Sources
- Keep anything that can burn at least one metre away from furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, or portable space heaters.
- Have your furnaces and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Turn portable space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before removing them.
Block Heaters and Extension Cords
- Do not plug in your vehicle inside an attached or detached garage, as a fire can start in the garage and quickly spread to other structures or your home, causing damage and putting people in danger.
- Check your block heater and extension cords for frays, cracks or damage before you plug in your vehicle outdoors. If the extension cord or block heater cord is damaged, replace it as soon as possible.
- Replace your extension cord if you’ve accidently driven away with it still plugged in to the outlet and have a licensed mechanic check your block heater cord.
- Do not overload extension cords or use them as a substitute for permanent wiring.
- Do not run an electrical/extension cord through walls, doorways, ceilings, floors or under rugs or mats. If a cord is covered, heat cannot escape, which may result in a fire hazard.
- Do not allow extension cords to run through water or snow on the ground.
Carbon Monoxide Safety
- If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, don’t try to find the source of the leak. Leave the building immediately and call 9-1-1.
- Get a qualified service technician to clean and service your fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, wood-burning fireplaces, and gas dryers each year.
- Never idle vehicles in an attached garage, even if the door is open.
- Ensure your home’s fresh air intake vents, exhaust vents and chimneys are clear of snow, insulation, leaves, bird nests, lint, or debris.
- Never cook indoors using charcoal or propane barbecues or grills, kerosene stoves, or propane heaters. They also should not be used in any enclosed spaces or garages, even if the door is open.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
The WFPS urges you to have one smoke alarm and one carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home, outside all sleeping areas, and in your basement. You should test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly, replace batteries twice a year, and replace alarms following the manufacturer’s instructions.