Winnipeg, MB – At 11:15 a.m. on March 26, 2019, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to reports that a vehicle hit a commercial building in the 1500 block of Pembina Highway, subsequently setting the building on fire. Once on scene, crews were met with heavy smoke and flames. An exterior, defensive attack was launched. Once the bulk of the flames were knocked down, they were able to transition to an interior, offensive attack to gain control of the fire.
The driver of the vehicle was transported to hospital in stable condition. Staff members and customers at the store self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. WFPS crews also evacuated the adjacent buildings immediately to the north and south of the fire as a precaution.
The Winnipeg Police Service will be investigating to determine what led to the collision. No damage estimates are available at this time.
It is expected that WFPS crews will remain on scene well into the afternoon. Northbound traffic on Pembina Highway will be impacted until their work is complete. Please follow the City's Traffic Management Centre (TMC) on Twitter for road closure updates.