Winnipeg, MB – At 7:03 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to a monitored alarm in a two-storey home on Morning Glory Crescent.
When crews arrived at the scene, they found heavy smoke coming from the house. Crews attacked the fire from inside the house, declaring the fire under control at 7:47 p.m. Firefighters were aided by the use of Flameguard X-Tinguish Fire Suppression Tool (FST), an aerosol device that reduces temperatures, which allows for safer access. The FST generates a mist that expands to flood the space, suppressing flames within seconds.
All occupants of the house safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. One individual was assessed by on-scene paramedics but did not require transport to hospital. No other injuries were reported. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, resulting from unsafe use of a portable space heater. With temperatures getting cooler, residents are reminded to always take special care when using a space heater, following these safety tips:
- Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory
- Keep the heater at least one metre (3 feet) away from anything that can burn
- Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection
- Place the heater on a solid, flat surface
- Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off that turns the heater off in the event it tips over
- Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
- Keep children away from the space heater
- Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
- Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed