Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to two unrelated fires in the 1000 block of Powers Street this morning.
At 9:16 a.m., a report was received regarding a fire in a suite in a side-by-side residential building. Upon arrival, crews found a working fire which had originated in the clothes dryer. An offensive attack was launched and the fire was declared under control at 9:37 a.m.
Occupants of the home had self-evacuated prior to WFPS crews’ arrival. No injuries were reported.
Preliminary observations suggest a malfunction in the operation of the dryer as the cause of this fire. This incident serves as a good reminder to residents to never run their dryer while away from their home. Damage from this fire was minimized because residents were home and able to call 911 before the fire extended beyond the interior of the dryer.
In 2018, WFPS responded to 12 dryer fires. Residents can reduce the risk of these types of fires by following these important tips:
- Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional to ensure it is in good working order.
- Do not use the dryer without a lint filter and always clean the filter after each load of laundry.
- Periodically check the venting system to ensure there is no lint buildup and it is not damaged, crushed or restricted.
- Make sure the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is running.
- Never leave a dryer running when leaving your home.
At 11:02 a.m., WFPS received reports of the second fire in a three-storey walk-up apartment building. Responding crews were met with thick smoke. They quickly located the fire using an interior offensive attack, declaring it under control at 11:22 a.m. Damage was mostly contained to the suite where the fire occurred.
Occupants of the building were evacuated however following ventilation of the building they were able to return to their suites. No injuries were reported.
WFPS crews located and rescued one cat from the suite where the fire occurred. Winnipeg Animal Services attended to the scene to care for the animal.
The cause of this second fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available at this time.