Update: Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to a fire on Main Street

Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews have worked throughout the day to extinguish the fire in the 800 block of Main Street. The fire has now been declared under control.

Firefighters have been rotated in and out of frontline operations throughout the day. They used aerial ladders to apply water to the fire.

The WFPS drone was used to provide Incident Commanders with an aerial view of the scene. It helped them to direct water streams and locate hot spots using the drone’s thermal imaging camera. Today’s incident was the first working fire for WFPS Ladder 16 – a new aerial apparatus which was put into service this past Wednesday.

Residents evacuated from the high-rise apartment building were able to return to their suites earlier this afternoon. Those who were living in the impacted building were assisted by the City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services (ESS) team in finding temporary housing.

Main Street is now open to southbound traffic. Northbound traffic will remain impacted until all crews leave the scene. Drivers are reminded that driving over a firehose is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act. Doing so can create unsafe conditions for firefighters and put others in the vicinity at-risk of serious injury or death.

The area around the building is ice-covered and slippery due to an accumulation of water. City crews attended the scene earlier today to clear sewer drains in order to release some of the water. The City will continue to monitor conditions and will apply sand and de-icing agents to roadways and sidewalks as required to improve traction.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building is a complete loss.