Winnipeg, MB – At 8:27 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, 2020, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to a report of fire in a two-and-a-half storey house under renovations in the 100 block of Helmsdale Avenue. Upon arrival on scene, crews encountered heavy smoke coming from an exterior wall. In order to extinguish the fire, crews gained access from the interior of the home and from the gable end of the house.
All occupants self-evacuated from the home prior to the arrival of crews. No injuries were reported.
At 9:03 p.m. WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a one-and-a-half storey, single-family home in the 800 block of Ashburn Street. When crews arrived, they found smoke and flames coming from the exterior of the home. An offensive attack was launched but due to deteriorating conditions, crews were forced to exit the house and transition to a defensive attack. This incident is ongoing at this time. Crews are expected to be on scene into the night.
All occupants of the home self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. Two neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution. Winnipeg Transit buses were deployed to the scene to provide shelter for the evacuees. No injuries have been reported at this time.
The causes of both fires will be under investigation. No damage estimates are available to this time.