Winnipeg, MB – During the afternoon on September 11, 2023, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to a structure fire and a gas leak.
Sargent Avenue - Fire
At 2:02 p.m., the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant house in the 600 block of Sargent Avenue.
At the scene, crews saw smoke coming from the house. Firefighters attacked the fire from the outside, while protecting neighbouring buildings. Firefighters declared the fire under control at 2:45 p.m. WFPS crews ordered an emergency demolition of this building to ensure they could extinguish hot spots and to ensure the building does not pose a structural risk.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Corydon Avenue – Gas Leak
At 2:14 p.m., the WFPS responded to reports of a ruptured natural gas line near the 2000 block of Corydon Avenue.
At the scene, firefighters located a ruptured gas line that was venting natural gas into the air. Firefighters evacuated the nearby commercial buildings as a precaution. Occupants at a nearby daycare temporarily sheltered in place while firefighters monitored the natural gas levels in their space to ensure readings remained at zero parts per million. Access to the daycare was not impacted.
Manitoba Hydro crews responded to the scene to repair the natural gas line. Work continues to repair the line.
Safety Information
Natural gas is a colourless, odourless, and highly flammable gas. Manitoba Hydro adds a chemical compound called mercaptan to natural gas to give it a strong, sulphur-like or rotten egg smell. This allows natural gas leaks to be easily detected.
If you smell natural gas, evacuate people and pets out of the area immediately. If you are inside a building, leave the doors open when you leave. Do not smoke, light matches or lighters, operate electrical switches, appliances, phones, or vehicles, or create any other source of ignition or sparks. Once you are in a safe space, call 9-1-1 immediately.