Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to overnight fires on Sherbrook Street and Logan Avenue.
Sherbrook Street
At 8:18 p.m. on Friday, December 31, 2021, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a three-storey apartment building in the 400 block of Sherbrook Street.
When crews arrived on scene, they encountered smoke and flames coming from the building. An offensive attack was launched, but due to deteriorating conditions crews were forced to exit the building and transition to a defensive attack using hose streams and aerial ladders. Operations at the scene are ongoing at this time, and it is expected that crews will remain at the scene for most of the day today.
The extreme cold created challenging conditions for firefighting with water, trucks, and equipment freezing up quickly. The entire area around the scene is ice-covered and slippery. Extra units are on scene as crews need to be rotated in and out of operations frequently to protect them from the conditions.
Most occupants of the building self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. Firefighters assisted several individuals in exiting the building and neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution. On-scene paramedics assessed several evacuees but no transports to hospital were required. No injuries have been reported at this time. The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services was called to assist those who were displaced in finding temporary accommodations.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available at this time, but the building is expected to be a complete loss.
Sherbrook Street is closed between Portage Avenue and Sargent Avenue. Ellice Avenue is closed between Furby Street and Maryland Street. Once crews complete their work at the scene and roads re-open, drivers and pedestrians are asked to use caution in the area as water used to fight the fire has frozen and created slippery conditions. The City will be monitoring conditions and applying sand and de-icing agents to roadways and sidewalks as required to improve traction.
Logan Avenue Fire
At 10:43 p.m. on Friday, December 31, 2021, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a two-storey commercial building in the 400 block of Logan Avenue.
Once on scene, crews found smoke in the building and launched an offensive attack. The fire was declared under control at 11:09 p.m.
Crews completed a search of the building and no occupants were found. No injuries were reported.
The fire remains under investigation and no damage estimates are available at this time.