Winnipeg, MB – At 6:19 p.m. on September 28, 2020, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire in a two-and-a-half-storey single-family home on Middle Gate.
When WFPS crews arrived on scene, they encountered heavy smoke coming from the attic of the house and launched an offensive attack. The fire was declared under control at 7:13 p.m.
Occupants of the residence safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but preliminary observations suggest it was accidental, originating with the wood-burning fireplace and chimney. Homeowners are reminded to have wood burning fireplaces, woodstoves, and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional. Fires can occur when stray sparks or high temperatures ignite creosote build-up in a chimney.