Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) continued operations at a major structure fire on Point Douglas Avenue and responded to a brush fire on Loudoun Road on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
Point Douglas Fire
At 11:21 a.m., WFPS responded to a well-involved fire in a large vacant warehouse at 2 Point Douglas Avenue. Crews could not safely enter the building and have been working in defensive mode using aerial water streams and handlines since arriving on scene this morning. The WFPS drone is also being used for situational awareness and the detection of hot spots.
Firefighters are protecting the exposures of neighbouring buildings and dousing embers being carried by the wind as required. One ember ignited on a stationary railcar carrying rail ties near the scene and crews are working to extinguish the resulting fire.
Approximately 10 nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution. It is not known at this time when residents will be able to return to their homes. The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services was called to assist displaced occupants in finding temporary accommodations.
Due to the ongoing smoke coming from the fire, individuals with breathing conditions are advised to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed. WFPS has engaged with Provincial officials from Conservation and Climate to inform them of the fire so they can assess the environmental impact on the site.
The fire remains under investigation. No damage estimates are available at this time. The building will be a complete loss.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic thanks all partner agencies who assisted on the scene today, including the Winnipeg Police Service, Manitoba Hydro and the Salvation Army’s mobile food truck for coming to the scene to provide refreshments for crews.
Loudoun Road Fire
At 4:45 p.m., WFPS responded to reports of a grass and brush fire in an open field near Loudoun Road and Howe Avenue.
When crews arrived on scene, they encountered a one-acre-area of heavy brush on fire that was spreading and threatening neighbouring residential areas and a business with approximately 30 horses on site.
Crews used specialized wildland-urban interface equipment, including the WFPS Bison, to attack the fires and protect the surrounding areas and properties. WFPS water tankers were used to shuttle water to the scene, as the fire was outside the City of Winnipeg water district.
The fire was declared under control at 8:20 p.m. Crews will remain on scene until all hotspots have been extinguished.
No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are notavailable at this time.