Winnipeg, MB – At 11:15 p.m. on March 8, 2020, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire in a two-and-a-half storey, single family home in the 900 block of Grosvenor Avenue. Once on scene, crews found heavy smoke coming from the home and launched an interior offensive attack. Conditions deteriorated quickly and they were forced to exit the home and transition to a defensive attack using aerial ladder trucks.
The occupants of the home self-evacuated prior to the arrival of WFPS crews. Two neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported. Firefighters located and brought several exotic birds to safety. At this time one cat remains unaccounted for.
Once crews complete the extinguishment of the fire, the cause will be under investigation. While no damage estimate is available at this time, the home suffered significant smoke, fire and water damage and is likely to be considered a complete loss. One neighbouring business also suffered water damage.
Stafford Street is currently closed in both directions between Yale Avenue and Dorchester Avenue. Grosvenor Avenue is closed between Stafford Street and Wentworth Street. The roads will reopen once crews complete their work on scene. Once open, drivers should use caution in this area, as water used to fight the fire has frozen. The City of Winnipeg is monitoring conditions and applying sand and de-icing agents as required.
At 3:42 a.m. on March 9, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant bungalow in the 200 block of Oakview Avenue. Upon arrival on scene, crews found the house fully engulfed in flames and heave smoke. Using thermal imaging cameras, crews were able to determine the floor inside the house was compromised making it unsafe to enter. A defensive attack was launched and the fire was declared under control at 4:39 a.m.
No injuries were reported as a result of this fire. The cause of the blaze will be under investigation. The home is considered a complete loss.
At 6:37 p.m. on March 8, the WFPS also responded to a fire in a two-car garage in the 700 block of Dudley Avenue. This fire was very quickly brought under control. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.