Winnipeg, MB – At 12:55 a.m. on August 28, 2020, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire in a vacant, two-and-a-half storey duplex in the 500 block of McDermot Avenue. Upon arrival on scene, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure.
An offensive attack was launched but due to deteriorating conditions, crews were forced to exit the building. They transitioned to a defensive attack, using aerial ladders to apply water to the fire. A neighbouring home was evacuated as a precaution. One firefighter was injured but did not require transport to hospital.
Crews remain on scene at this time and are expected to be fighting this fire well into the day. McDermot Avenue between Juno Street and Isabel Street will remain closed until their work is complete.
The cause of the fire will be under investigation. No damage estimates are available at this time but the structure is believed to be a complete loss.
A special thanks to the Salvation Army food truck, staffed by volunteer retired firefighters, for responding to the scene to provide refreshments to the crews. The truck, commonly referred to by WFPS members as unit 7-11, attends when crews are expected to be on scene for a lengthy time or during extreme weather conditions where regular rehabilitation breaks are required.