Winnipeg, MB – At 1:32 p.m. on September 1, 2020, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to a monitored alarm in a three-storey commercial building in the 600 block of Portage Avenue.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found the building’s sprinkler system had activated, knocking down the bulk of the fire. Firefighters worked to extinguish hot spots and ventilate the building.
One patient was assessed on scene by paramedics and transported to hospital in stable condition.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental due to unattended cooking. Residents are reminded of the following safety strategies:
- Always stay in the kitchen while cooking. Stove burners should always be turned off when leaving the kitchen, even for a short time.
- Anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — should always be kept away from the stovetop.
- Oil should always be heated slowly. If cooking oil catches fire and the fire is small and manageable, use a kitchen fire extinguisher or cover the pot with a metal lid. Never use water to put out an oil fire.
No damage estimates are available at this time.