Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fire on Main Street

Winnipeg, MB – At 7:19 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to multiple reports of a fire in a two-storey commercial and residential, mixed-use building in the 800 block of Main Street.

When crews arrived at the scene, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. Due to the advanced fire conditions and a risk of collapse, crews launched a fire attack from the exterior, using handlines and aerial ladder trucks to apply water to the fire.

This is anticipated to be a prolonged incident, and crews are expected to remain on scene throughout the day.

It was reported that occupants of the building self-evacuated. One of the individuals was assessed by on-scene paramedics and transported to hospital in stable condition.

While firefighting operations are ongoing, crews are monitoring conditions in the neighbouring buildings, including the adjacent high-rise apartment block. With the potential for high life hazards when dealing with a high-rise, a second alarm was called which increased the number of crews on scene.

Due to drifting smoke, crews are currently evacuating the high-rise in an orderly manner as a precaution. Residents living with disabilities are being helped out of the building by firefighters.

Winnipeg Transit has deployed buses to the scene to shelter evacuees. The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services team will be assisting displaced residents in finding temporary accommodations.

At the time of this release, Main Street is closed to all traffic between Higgins Avenue and Dufferin Avenue. Residents are asked to avoid the area, and motorists are advised to take alternate routes to get to their destinations.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available; however, the building will be a complete loss.