Winnipeg, MB – At 5:31 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a fire in a two-storey duplex in the 200 block of Edelweiss Crescent.
Once on-scene, crews encountered smoke coming from the home. They launched an offensive attack, quickly extinguishing the fire and containing it to the suite of origin. They declared the fire under control at 5:47 p.m. Crews proceeded to thoroughly vent the suite.
One occupant of the fire suite self-evacuated prior to crew arrival. Two residents and five pets of the neighbouring suite were temporarily evacuated by crews as a precaution until their suite was safe for re-occupancy.
No injuries were reported.
The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services was called to support two residents in finding temporary accommodations.
The suite suffered significant smoke damage throughout the home, and fire and water damage to a portion of the home. No damage estimates are available at this time. The fire is considered to be accidental, caused by cooking. Residents are reminded of the following safety measures:
- Oil should always be heated slowly. If cooking oil catches fire and the fire small and manageable, use a kitchen fire extinguisher or cover the pot with a metal lid.
- Never use water to put out an oil fire.
- Always stay in the kitchen while cooking. Stove burners should always be turned off when leaving the kitchen, even for a short time.
- Anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains – should be kept away from the stovetop.