Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two overnight structure fires.
William Avenue West fire
At 11:56 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a single-family bungalow in the 1900 block of William Avenue West.
When WFPS crews arrived on scene, they found a well-involved fire, with heavy smoke and flames coming from the home. Initially, an offensive fire attack was launched, but due to deteriorating conditions, crews were forced to exit the house and transition to a defensive attack. Once some of the flames were knocked down, they were able to re-enter the structure, declaring the fire under control at 1:14 a.m.
During their search of the structure, crews located one occupant. The individual was declared deceased at the scene. One dog was also located deceased in the house.
The fire remains under investigation.
Aubrey Street fire
At 5:48 a.m. on Friday, January 21, 2022, the WFPS responded to reports of a garage fire in the 200 block of Aubrey Street.
Upon their arrival on scene, crews encountered the garage fully-engulfed in flames. A fire attack was launched and the fire was declared under control at 6:08 a.m. No injuries were reported. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
While the cause of this fire remains under investigation, there are steps residents can take to prevent the risk of garage fires:
- Keep garage doors and windows locked and secured.
- Use motion-activated lights to brighten the outside your garage.
- Keep garbage, yard waste, or bulky waste, such as old furniture, and yard waste away from your garage.
- Store flammable material safely.
- Check your block heater and extension cords for frays, cracks or damage before you plug in your vehicle; if the extension cord or block heater cord is damaged, replace it as soon as possible.
- Avoid backing up with the cord still plugged in, which can damage the plug; if this happens, replace the cord.
- Do not plug in your vehicle inside a garage or sheltered building, as a fire can start in the garage and quickly spread to other structures or your home, causing damage and putting people in danger.