Winnipeg, MB – At 11:23 p.m. on June 14, 2020, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire in a two-storey, converted residential dwelling in the 600 block of Agnes Street. Upon arrival on scene, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. An offensive attack was launched and the fire was declared extinguished at 12:21 a.m.
All occupants of the house self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No damage estimates are currently available but it is expected the structure may be a complete loss due to significant smoke, fire and water damage.
At 1:50 a.m. on June 15, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in two-and-a-half storey duplex in the 300 block of Alfred Avenue. When crews arrived on scene, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. An offensive attack was launched and the fire was declared under control at 2:14 a.m. A search of the structure was completed and no occupants were found.
A fire watch was put on the building and at 4:11 a.m. crews were called back to the duplex after a hot spot reignited. This fire was knocked down by 4:32 a.m.
No injuries were reported at this scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and no damage estimates are currently available.
At 3:36 a.m. on June 15, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a one-and-a-half storey, single-family home in the 100 block of Disraeli Street. When crews arrived on scene they found the front of the home fully engulfed in flames. A defensive attack was employed until conditions improved, allowing crews to safely enter the home and transition to an interior, offensive attack.
Five occupants of the home safely self-evacuated from the home through a window prior to the arrival of crews. All were assessed on scene by paramedics but did not require transport to hospital. No injuries were reported.
A fire watch was placed on the house and at 6:24 a.m. crews returned to the scene when a bystander called 911 to report smoke coming from the scene. The smouldering hot spots were quickly extinguished.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, due to the careless disposal of a cigarette butt.
At 8:13 a.m. on June 15, 2020, WFPS responded to reports of a deck fire at a single family bungalow in the 600 block of Harbison Avenue East. Upon arrival on scene crews found a small fire on the deck, threatening the attached home. The fire was quickly brought under control.
Occupants of the home self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was also determined to be accidental, due to the careless disposal of a cigarette butt.
Residents are reminded smoking materials/butts should always be extinguished in an ashtray or deep metal container filled partway with sand or water. Do not dispose of butts with regular trash without first dousing the butt with water.
As well, plant pots should never be used as an ashtray. Potting soil is a mix of dirt and a number of combustible organic materials such as peat moss, shredded wood, and minerals which are combustible. When a butt is put into a planter, it can smolder for several hours. Once the container heats up, it can crack, giving the smoldering material oxygen and the opportunity to spread to other combustibles such as decks, balconies, walls, etc. Butts should also never be thrown from balconies, car windows, or disposed of near any vegetation such as grass or brush.