Winnipeg, MB – At approximately 5:30 p.m. on June 12, 2019, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews responded to reports of a fire in a two and a half storey rooming house in the 500 block of Ross Avenue. Once on scene crews encountered smoke coming from one of the suites and launched an offensive attack. The fire was declared under control at 5:47 p.m.
Two individuals had self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. One individual was assessed on scene by paramedics but did not require transport to hospital. No injuries were reported.
While crews were able to keep the fire contained to a single suite, smoke and water damage was sustained throughout the building. The City’s Emergency Social Services team was deployed to the scene to assist 10 individuals with finding alternate living arrangements.
The fire is under investigation; however, preliminary information suggests its cause may have been accidental due to unattended cooking. Residents are reminded to always stay in the kitchen while cooking. Stove burners should always be turned off when leaving the kitchen, even for a short time. Anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — should always be kept away from the stovetop.