Winnipeg, MB – At 9:53 p.m. on May 6, 2019, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews responded to reports of a fire in a multi-family residential complex in the 0 to 100 block of Westgrove Way. Once one scene, crews encountered smoke emanating from the basement area of one of the suites and launched an offensive attack. The fire was very quickly extinguished and crews ventilated the smoke from the home.
All occupants of the home safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, due to blankets that had come into contact with the standing pilot light on a hot water tank. The home sustained no fire damage and moderate smoke damage.
Residents are reminded to keep all combustibles at least one meter from fuel-fired appliances. Doing so significantly reduces the chance of fire extending from an appliance and provides proper ventilation required to function efficiently and safely.