Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to two fires the morning of Friday, April 19, 2024.
Ross Avenue West fire
At 5:12 a.m., WFPS crews responded to reports of fire at a vacant, boarded up house in the 1400 block of Ross Avenue West.
When crews arrived on scene, smoke was coming from the structure. They initially launched a defensive fire attack, fighting the fire from outside. When conditions improved they switched to an offensive strategy. The fire was declared under control at 6:07 a.m.
Residents from a neighbouring home were evacuated while crews were fighting the fire. They were able to return to their home once the fire was extinguished. No injuries were reported.
The fire caused significant damage to the house and an emergency demolition of the structure was ordered. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Powers Street fire
At 10:47 a.m. WFPS crews responded to reports of fire at a two-storey house in the 200 block of Powers Street.
Smoke was coming from the structure when crews arrived on scene. They entered the house and launched a fire attack, and quickly extinguished the flames. The fire was under control at 11:10 a.m.
Residents of the house self-evacuated prior to crews arriving. No injuries were reported.
The City’s Emergency Social Services team was called to help displaced residents find temporary accommodations.
Preliminary investigations suggest the cause of the fire was accidental, caused by an electrical malfunction.
Damage estimates are not available.