Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to five significant structure fires this morning.
Sutherland Avenue fire
At 12:50 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, WFPS crews responded to a fire involving a vacant, multi-storey industrial building on Sutherland Avenue between Maple Street North and Argyle Street North. The fire was discovered and reported by an on-duty Winnipeg Police Service crew driving through the area.
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 WFPS crews arrived to the scene, they found the building engulfed in heavy flames and smoke. Crews launched a defensive fire attack using an aerial ladder truck and hand lines to apply water to the fire. Aerial and thermal imaging views from the WFPS drone were used to help direct water streams and locate hotspots.
An excavator was ordered to the scene to assist crews by moving debris and exposing hot spots. The fire was declared extinguished at 6:11 a.m.
No injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation.
Inkster Boulevard fire
At 1:42 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, WFPS crews responded a fire in a single-storey commercial warehouse and office building in the 1400 block of Inkster Boulevard. The fire was discovered and reported by a Winnipeg Police Service crew working in the area.
When fire crews arrived to the location, they found smoke and flames coming from the building. They launched an interior fire attack, declaring the fire under control at 2:04 a.m.
Crews completed a search of the structure and no occupants were found. There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Dufferin Avenue fire
At 3:07 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, the WFPS responded to reports of a large fire on the exterior of commercial structure in the 500 block of Dufferin Avenue.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found several passenger vehicles and a semi-trailer unit engulfed in flames. Electrical lines damaged by the fire had fallen on the building and were arching.
Crews immediately launched a fire attack to prevent the fire from extending to the structure. Crews ventilated smoke from building and monitored it for fire extension.
Manitoba Hydro crews attended to safely disconnect electrical lines.
The fire was declared under control at 4:08 a.m. While the vehicles and semi-trailer are considered complete losses, the building sustained minimal heat damage.
No injuries were reported.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Manitoba Avenue fire
At 4:10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a vacant, one-and-a-half-storey house in the 1300 block of Manitoba Avenue.
When crews arrived to the scene, they found heavy smoke coming from the house. They entered and fought the fire from the interior. The fire was declared under control at 4:42 a.m.
A search of the house was completed and no occupants were found. No injuries were reported.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Flora Avenue fire
At 5:42 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, WFPS crews responded to reports of a garage fire in the 700 block of Flora Avenue.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found the garage fully engulfed in flames and smoke. The adjacent house on the property is vacant and has extensive damage from previous fires.
Crews quickly worked to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring structures. The fire was declared under control at 5:57 a.m.
No injuries were reported.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
REMINDER TO RESIDENTS: Drivers are reminded that driving over a firehose is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act. Doing so can create unsafe conditions for firefighters and put others in the vicinity at-risk of serious injury or death.