Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to three significant structure fires overnight.
Berkley Street fire
At 9:14 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in detached garage in the 700 block of Berkley Street.
When crews arrived, they found the garage engulfed in flames and smoke. Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire and it was declared under control at 9:50 p.m.
Individuals on scene indicated that there was a person trapped in the garage. Once located, the victim was declared deceased on scene. One additional person was assessed by paramedics but did not require transport to hospital.
The fire remains under investigation but is believed to be accidental. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
St. Jean Baptiste Street fire
At 2:32 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a two-and-a-half storey, multi-family house in the 500 block of St. Jean Baptiste Street.
Upon arrival at the scene, crews found smoke and flames coming from the house. Firefighters quickly applied water to the fire, declaring it under control at 2:54 a.m.
All occupants of the building safely self-evacuated. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Manitoba Avenue fire
At 2:44 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant house in the 400 block of Manitoba Avenue.
They found heavy smoke coming from the house. Crews launched a firefighting operation from the exterior of the house as it was not safe for them to enter, partly due to previous fire damage.
Crews remain on scene at this time using an aerial ladder and hose streams to extinguish the fire. Operations are expected to continue throughout the morning. The below-freezing temperatures and high winds are creating challenging conditions. 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.
Occupants from both neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution. A Winnipeg Transit bus was deployed to the scene to shelter the evacuees. At this time, no injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire will be under investigation. While no damage estimates are available, the house is a complete loss and will be demolished. In addition, the neighbouring homes suffered some water damage.
Traffic in the area is impacted. Manitoba Avenue between Aikins Street and Powers Street remains closed. Residents are asked to avoid the area.
Once crews complete their work at the scene and roads re-open, please 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.