Winnipeg, MB – At 8:47 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to a monitored fire alarm in single-family bungalow in the 600 block of Toronto Street.
When crews arrived to the scene, they found heavy smoke coming from the house. They attacked the fire from inside the house, deploying a Flameguard X-Tinguish Fire Suppression Tool (FST). The aerosol device generates a mist that expands to flood the space, helping to suppress flames and reduce temperatures in order to allow for safer access.
Despite using the tool, the fire had already spread extensively and firefighters were forced to exit the house and transition to an exterior, defensive fire attack. Once flames were knocked down, they were able to re-enter the house to fully extinguish the fire. The fire was declared under control at 10:44 a.m.
Crews completed a search of the home and no occupants were found. Both neighbouring homes were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. Once firefighters completely extinguished the fire, neighbouring evacuated residents were able to return to their homes. No injuries were reported.
Damage estimates are not available at this time. Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by a malfunction in the furnace system.
Residents can prevent fires involving a heating source by following these safety tips:
- Keep anything that can burn at least one metre away from furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, or portable space heaters.
- Have a qualified professional install your furnace.
- Have your furnaces and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Turn portable space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before removing them.