Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to three significant structure fires and a gas leak overnight.
Henry Avenue fire
At 11:54 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a two-storey industrial structure in the 800 block of Henry Avenue.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found heavy smoke and flames on the exterior of the building. They launched a fire attack using an aerial ladder truck, and worked to keep the fire from extending into the building. The fire was declared under control at 12:44 a.m.
Crews completed a search of the building and no occupants were located. There were no injuries reported.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Sutherland Avenue fires
At 1:02 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire involving a vacant, multi-storey industrial building on Sutherland Avenue between Maple Street North and Argyle Street North.
The building was previously gutted by a fire on July 4, 2023. Following that fire, the building was considered to be a complete loss due to extreme fire, smoke and water damage with large sections of the building left partially collapsed. Several other significant fires have occurred at the location since then.
When crews arrived to the scene they found smoke and flames coming from the building. They launched a fire attack from the exterior of the building, using an aerial ladder truck and hand lines to apply water to the fire. The WFPS drone was launched and the images were used to direct crews to hotspots. The fire was declared under control at 2:14 a.m.
At 5:06 a.m., WFPS crews were called back to the same location for another reported fire. When they returned, they once again found smoke and flames coming from the building.
They launched a defensive fire attack and declared the fire under control at 6:11 a.m.
There were no injuries reported at the scene. Both fires are under investigation.
Fort Street gas leak
At 4:20 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, WFPS crews responded to reports of a gas leak in a four-storey hotel in the 300 block of Fort Street.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found gas venting from a damaged line on the exterior of the building. Crews worked quickly to evacuate approximately 40 residents from the hotel. A Winnipeg Transit bus was deployed to provide shelter for evacuees.
Manitoba Hydro crews attended the scene to repair the leak. Once it was determined the building was safe, residents were able to re-occupy the hotel.
No injuries were reported.