Winnipeg, MB – At 11:16 a.m. on May 17, 2019, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to reports of a fire in a two and a half storey multi-family home in the 700 block of Selkirk Avenue. Upon arrival on scene, crews found a well involved fire with heavy flames coming from the windows. Initially an offensive attack was launched however due to deteriorating conditions crews were forced to transition to a defensive fire attack.
Two occupants self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews and were taken to hospital in unstable condition. Once the fire was knocked down and crews were able to re-enter the structure to extinguish hotspots, two additional occupants were located deceased.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available at this time; however, the home is expected to be a total loss.
REMINDER TO MEDIA: Under no circumstances should you ever breach an emergency scene to take photos or video images. Doing so puts yourself, and also potentially our first responders, in danger. Our members are dealing with emergency situations and should not have to ask you to leave a scene.