Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to fires on Portage Avenue and Molson Street.
Portage Avenue fire
At 7:42 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, WFPS crews responded to a monitored fire alarm at a 14-storey apartment building in the 3000 block of Portage Avenue.
When they arrived at the scene, firefighters went inside the building and found smoke coming from one of the suites. They launched an offensive fire attack, using hand lines to apply water to the fire. It was declared under control at 8:20 p.m.
Some residents self-evacuated from the building, while others sheltered in place while crews worked to put the fire out. No injuries were reported
Most of the damage was contained to the suite where the fire started. No damage estimates are available.
Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by unattended cooking. Residents are reminded of the following safety tips to reduce the risk of kitchen fires:
- Always stay in the kitchen while cooking.
- Oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains should be kept away from the stovetop.
- Oil should be heated slowly. If cooking oil catches fire and the fire is small and manageable, use a kitchen fire extinguisher or cover the top with a metal lid.
- Never use water to put out an oil fire.
Molson Street fire
At 2:03 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024, WFPS crews responded to reports of fire at a two-storey townhouse in the 1300 block of Molson Street.
When crews arrived to the scene, they located the fire and launched an offensive fire attack. They put the fire out and declared it under control at 2:25 a.m.
Occupants of the home self-evacuated before crews arrived. Paramedics assessed two people at the scene, but they did not require transport to hospital.
Damage estimates are not available at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.