Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two structure fires this evening.
Euclid Avenue fire
At 6:15 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant church in the 100 block of Euclid Avenue.
When crews arrived at the scene, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. An exterior fire attack was launched as it was not safe for crews to enter. Firefighting operations remain ongoing at this time with crews using an aerial ladder truck and handlines to apply water to the fire. It’s expected that crews will be at the scene throughout the night.
Freezing temperatures are creating challenging conditions for firefighters, with the area around the scene being ice-covered and slippery. Crews are being rotated in and out of operations as required to provide them with breaks from the cold.
Road closures in the area will remain in place until work is completed at the scene.
Once the incident is mitigated, residents should use caution in the area, as water used to fight the fire will be frozen, creating slippery conditions. City of Winnipeg crews will be monitoring conditions and applying sand and de-icing agents to roadways and sidewalks as required to improve traction
The fire is under investigation.
The church has sustained significant smoke, fire and water damage in today’s fire. It was previously damaged by a fire in June 2024 and also had previous water and heat damage from fires at a neighbouring building on Main Street in 2021 and 2023.
Anyone who sees someone actively entering a vacant building, or removing boards from windows or doors from a building, should call 911 to report the incident immediately.
If you notice boarded windows or doors that have been breached, but you do not see someone actively entering or trying to enter the building, report the incident to 311 by phone or online.
Selkirk Avenue fire
At 5:49 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a single-storey residence in the 200 block of Selkirk Avenue.
When crews arrived on scene, they found smoke and flames coming from the structure. They launched an offensive fire attack, declaring the fire under control at 6:10 p.m.
There were no occupants in the residence at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.
Damage estimates are not available at this time. The fire is under investigation.
At this time, it is not known if the two fires this evening are connected.