Winnipeg, MB – At 9:01 p.m. on February 27, 2020, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to an automatic fire alarm in a four-storey apartment block in the first block of El Tassi Drive. Once on scene, crews launched an offensive fire attack, quickly bringing the fire under control. The building’s sprinkler system limited fire extension until crews arrived.
Occupants of the building self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. One individual was assessed by paramedics on scene and transported to hospital in unstable condition.
While the fire was contained to the suite of origin, two other suites sustained water damage. No damage estimates are available at this time.
The cause of the fire is considered accidental due to unattended cooking. Residents are reminded of the following safety strategies:
- 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.
- Oil should always be heated slowly. If cooking oil catches fire and the fire is small and manageable, use a kitchen fire extinguisher or cover the pot with a metal lid. Never use water to put out an oil fire.