Winnipeg, MB – At 3:46 a.m. on Friday, September 10, 2021, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire in a one-and-a-half-storey, single-family house in the 400 block of Cairnsmore Street.
When crews arrived on scene, they encountered smoke and flames coming from the structure. They launched an offensive attack, bringing the fire under control at 4:32 a.m.
One occupant was alerted to the fire by a working smoke alarm and self-evacuated prior to crew arrival. Crews rescued one cat and reunited it with its owner. No injuries were reported.
No damage estimates are available at this time. While the fire is still under investigation, preliminary observations indicate it may have been caused by improperly disposed of coals from a bonfire. Residents are reminded of the following safety strategies to prevent these type of outdoor fires:
- A fire pit must be at least three metres from any combustible buildings, structures, fences, trees, or overhead wires, etc.
- Always have a means of extinguishing your firepit close by, such as a water hose or bucket of sand. Remember: If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Coals can smoulder for several days and can reignite.
- Once done with your fire, extinguish it with water. Drown ALL embers, not just the red ones. Use a shovel to scrape any remaining sticks and logs to remove any embers. Make sure that no embers are exposed and still smoldering. Douse with water until the hissing sound stops.
- Never remove coals from an approved fire pit until all fire activity and smouldering has ceased.
- If you do not have water, stir dirt or sand into the embers with a shovel to bury the fire. Coals can also be kept in a non-combustible container.
Residents are reminded of the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes. Alarms should be installed on every floor of the home, including the basement and tested monthly to ensure proper operation. Homeowners who don’t have a working smoke alarm can have one installed free of charge by WFPS crews through the S.A.F.E Family Program. Call 311 to apply or visit www.winnipeg.ca/safefamily.