Winnipeg, MB – At 11:58 a.m. on September 20, 2019, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire in a two-storey townhouse complex in the 0-100 block of Rougeau Avenue. Upon arrival on scene, crews encountered smoke and launched an offensive attack from the interior of the unit and from outside using ground ladders. Crews on the outside of the structure had to briefly halt operations due to lightning and storm conditions which made it unsafe for them to be on the roof and ladders. The fire was declared under control at 12:20 p.m. Damage from the fire was contained to the townhouse suite where the fire originated.
Two occupants in the suite at the time of the fire safely self-evacuated prior to crew arrival. No injuries were reported. A neighbouring unit was temporarily evacuated but occupants are expected to be able to return once crews complete their work on scene.
Preliminary observations suggest the cause of the fire was due to an electrical malfunction in a wall. No damage estimates are available at this time.