Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two fires.
Stradbrook Avenue fire
At 10:13 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 WFPS responded to reports of a fire at a two-and-a-half storey, multi-family residence in the 500 block of Stradbrook Avenue.
When crews arrived on-scene, they observed fire and smoke coming from the structure. They launched an offensive attack, declaring the fire under control at 10:25 p.m.
Crews located one occupant and assisted them in evacuating the building. Other occupants self-evacuated prior to crew arrival. No injuries were reported and residents were later able to return to their suites.
While the cause of the fire is under investigation, it is believed to have been caused by the improper disposal of a cigarette butt in a planter. Residents are reminded of the following safety tips:
- Smoking material should always be extinguished in a proper ashtray or deep metal container.
- Cigarette butts should never be thrown from balconies, car windows, or disposed of near any vegetation such as grass, leaves or brush.
- Never use a plant pot as an ashtray. Potting soil is a mix of dirt and a number of combustible organic materials such as peat moss, shredded wood and minerals which are combustible. When a butt is put into a planter, it can smolder for several hours. Once the container heats up, it can crack, giving the smoldering material oxygen and the opportunity to spread to other combustibles such as decks, balconies, walls, etc.
No damage estimates are available at this time.
Autumnwood Drive fire
At 6:22 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2021, WFPS responded to an automatic alarm at a four-storey apartment building in the 1000 block of Autumnwood Drive.
When crews arrived on-scene, the were met with heavy smoke in the building. They launched an offensive attack and the fire was declared under control at 6:45 a.m.
Many occupants self-evacuated prior to crew arrival while others were directed to shelter in place. One individual was assessed and treated by on-scene paramedics but did not require transport to hospital.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire damage was contained to the suite of origin, while other suites suffered smoke and heat damage. No damage estimates are available at this time.