Winnipeg, MB – At 10:19 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2022, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a fire in a two-and-a-half-storey duplex in the 300 block of Elgin Avenue.
Upon arrival on scene, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. They launched an offensive attack but due to deteriorating conditions they were forced to exit the structure and transition to a defensive fire attack.
Occupants of the house safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. No injuries were reported.
Crews remain on scene at this time using an aerial ladder and hose streams to extinguish the fire. It is expected operations will continue throughout the morning.
The below-freezing temperatures are creating challenging conditions for WFPS crews. The area around the fire scene is ice-covered and slippery. Crews are being rotated in and out of operations as required to provide them with breaks from the cold.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time but the house is expected to be a complete loss due to severe fire, smoke, and water damage.
Elgin Avenue is closed between Princess Street and Ellen Street. Once crews complete their work at the scene and roads re-open, drivers and pedestrians should use caution in the area as water used to fight the fire has frozen and created slippery conditions. The City will be monitoring conditions and applying sand and de-icing agents to roadways and sidewalks as required to improve traction.