Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to fires on King Edward Street and Cavalier Drive.
King Edward Street fire
At 8:51 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, WFPS crews responded to reports of fire at a bungalow in the 2100 block of King Edward Street.
There was smoke coming from the house when firefighters arrived on scene. They launched an offensive fire attack, fighting the fire from inside the house. It was declared under control at 9:36 p.m.
Residents of the home safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.
The structure suffered smoke and water damage from the fire. Estimates are not available.
Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by a malfunctioning fireplace.
Residents can prevent fires involving a heating source by following these safety tips:
- Keep anything that can burn at least one metre away from furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, or portable space heaters
- Have a qualified professional install your furnace
- 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
Cavalier Drive fire
At 5:28 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, WFPS crews responded to reports of fire at a two-storey duplex in the 1000 block of Cavalier Drive.
When crews arrived on scene, smoke was coming from the structure. They went inside and launched an offensive fire attack. The fire was declared under control at 6:07 a.m.
Residents self-evacuated before crews arrived on scene. No injuries were reported.
Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental and caused by a candle.
Residents are reminded to take special care when using candles, always following these safety tips:
- Never leave lit candles unattended
- Always keep candles out of the reach of children and pets
- Never dispose of candles in the trash until the wax has hardened and the wick is no longer hot
- Use non-combustible candleholders and place them on a firm, non-slip surface
- Avoid burning candles in drafty areas to prevent uneven burning and wax dripping
- Extinguish a candle when it burns down to within two inches of its holder or base
- Keep candles away from any flammable materials, decorations, curtains, or other combustible material like bedding or cushions
- Keep candle wicks trimmed to half an inch and remove excess wax before storage. Long, crooked wicks can cause uneven burning and wax drippings