Winnipeg, MB – At 3:19 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to an automatic fire alarm at a hotel in the 1800 block of Wellington Avenue. While responding, further 911 reports were received indicating fire in one of the suites. A second alarm was called, increasing the number of apparatus and WFPS crew members on the scene, due to the potential for a high number of occupants in the building.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found smoke in the first floor hallway of the hotel. An offensive attack was launched and the fire was very quickly brought under control. The automatic fire sprinkler system had activated and kept the fire from extending beyond the room of origin. Crews then worked to ventilate smoke from the building.
All occupants self-evacuated from the building. One patient was assessed on scene by paramedics but did not require transport to hospital. No other injuries were reported.
Fire damage was contained to the suite where the fire originated. Other areas of the hotel suffered minor smoke and water damage. No damage estimates are available at this time.
The cause of the fire is considered incendiary. The incident is being investigated by the Winnipeg Police Service.