Winnipeg, MB – At 2:21 a.m. on December 26, 2019, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire in a three-storey apartment complex in the 500 block of Agnes Street. Upon arrival on scene, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames. An interior attack was launched but due to deteriorating conditions crews were forced to exit the structure and transition to a defensive attack.
Crews were able to complete a search of the building before exiting and were able to confirm that all occupants had self-evacuated. One cat was located in the building and brought to safety. Neighbouring properties were also evacuated as a precaution. A Winnipeg Transit bus was brought to the scene to shelter the occupants.
WFPS Paramedics assessed a number of individuals on scene but no one required transport to hospital. The City’s Emergency Social Services team was deployed to the scene to provide support to the approximately 25 individuals displaced by the fire.
Crews are expected to remain on scene throughout the day today as they continue to extinguish hot spots.
Sargent Avenue is currently closed between Maryland Street and Toronto Street. Agnes Street is blocked between Sargent Avenue and Ellice Avenue. Traffic will remain closed until crews complete their work on scene. Once roads reopen, drivers should exercise caution as the water used to fight the fire covered the road and is frozen. City of Winnipeg will be monitoring the area and applying sand and de-icing agents as required.