Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two structure fires and a carbon monoxide incident on the evening of January 23, 2024.
Lorette Avenue fire
At 5:12 p.m., WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a single-family bungalow in the 800 block of Lorette Avenue.
When crews arrived to the scene, they found heavy smoke coming from the house. Firefighters knocked down some of the flames from the exterior of the house. Once it was safe to do so, they made entry to the house and completed extinguishment of the fire. The fire was declared under control at 5:39 p.m.
One individual was located at the scene and was transported to hospital in critical condition. Firefighters also located a dog which was declared deceased.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
William Avenue fire
At 5:41 p.m., the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a two-and-a-half storey house in the 600 block of William Avenue.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found smoke and flames coming from the structure. They entered and fought the fire from inside, declaring the fire extinguished by approximately 6:30 p.m.
Crews completed a search of the house and no occupants were found. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and damage estimates are not currently available.
Main Street carbon monoxide incident
At 5:47 p.m., the WFPS responded to the Main Street Project’s facility at 637 Main St. for reports of a potential fire.
When crews arrived to the scene, they determined there was no fire; however, there was carbon monoxide in the building which had triggered alarms.
Firefighters worked quickly to evacuate all occupants, and then ventilated the carbon monoxide from the building. Paramedics assessed two individuals at the scene. They were both transported to hospital – one in stable condition and the other in unstable condition. Their medical conditions were not believed to be related to the carbon monoxide buildup.
A Winnipeg Transit bus was deployed to the scene to provide shelter for evacuees.
The buildup of carbon monoxide is believed to be caused by the use of diesel-fueled construction equipment in the building.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels burn incompletely. Anything that burns natural gas, wood, oil, methane, gasoline, or coal can produce carbon monoxide.
In homes, the most common source of carbon monoxide gas is cooking or heating equipment like fireplaces and gas stoves. Natural gas furnaces can also malfunction and vent carbon monoxide gas into a building.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are flu-like and include nausea, dizziness, confusion, vision and hearing loss, but no fever. Exposure can be deadly. If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, get out quickly and call 9-1-1.