Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to five structure fires since last evening.
Burrows Avenue fire
At 8 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant, single-storey house in the 400 block of Burrows Avenue.
When crews arrived to the scene, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the house. They launched a defensive fire attack from the exterior. Once fire conditions improved they were able to enter and fully extinguish the fire. The fire was declared under control at 8:28 p.m.
Crews completed a search of the house and no occupants were found. There were no injuries reported.
The fire is under investigation. The house sustained significant smoke, fire and water damage. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Pritchard Avenue fire (1 of 2)
At 11:43 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, WFPS crews responded to a fire in a two-storey residence in the 400 block of Pritchard Avenue. The fire was discovered and reported by an on-duty Winnipeg Police Service crew driving through the area.
When WFPS crews arrived on scene, they found smoke coming from the house. They entered and fought the fire from the interior. The fire was declared under control at 12:49 a.m.
A search of the residence was completed and no occupants were found. No injuries were reported.
The fire remains under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Charles Street fire
At 4:24 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a two-and-a-half-storey residence in the 200 block of Charles Street.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found smoke and flames coming from the structure. They entered and fought the fire from inside, quickly declaring the fire under control.
Firefighters evacuated residents from the structure. No injuries were reported.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not currently available.
Pritchard Avenue fire (2 of 2)
At 5:42 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a single-family bungalow in the 1400 block of Pritchard Avenue.
When crews arrived to the scene, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the house. They launched a fire attack from the exterior of the house. Once conditions improved they were able to transition to an interior fire attack, declaring the fire under control at 6:51 a.m.
Occupants of the house safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. One neighbouring house was evacuated by crews as a temporary precaution. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The house has sustained significant smoke, fire and water damage. Damage estimates are unavailable.
Rougeau Avenue fire
At 9:29 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a two-storey townhouse complex in the 0 to 100 block of Rougeau Avenue.
At the scene, crews found smoke in one of the units. They entered and quickly extinguished a fire involving a clothing dryer. The fire was contained to the suite where the fire originated.
Occupants of the unit safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. No injuries were reported.
Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by a malfunction in the operation of a clothes dryer.
The risk of these types of fires can be reduced by following these important tips:
- Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional to ensure it is in good working order.
- Do not use the dryer without a lint filter and always clean the filter after each load of laundry.
- Periodically check the venting system to ensure there is no lint buildup and it is not damaged, crushed, or restricted.
- Make sure the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is running.
- Never leave a dryer running when leaving your home.