Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to three overnight structure fires.
Argyle Street
At 4:42 a.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a vacant, two-storey house on Argyle Street.
Upon arrival at the scene, crews found the house well-involved with flames and smoke. Firefighters initially launched a fire attack from the exterior as it was not safe to enter the house. Once it was safe to do so, they transitioned to an interior fire attack. The fire was declared under control at 5:50 a.m.
Crews completed a search of the structure and no occupants were found. There were no injuries reported.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Anyone who sees someone actively entering a vacant building, or removing boards from windows or doors from a building, should call 911 to report the incident immediately.
If you notice boarded windows or doors that have been breached, but you do not see someone actively entering or trying to enter the building, report the incident to 311 by phone or online.
Magnus Avenue fire
At 12:32 a.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024, the WFPS responded to reports of a garage fire in the 300 block of Magnus Avenue.
When crews arrived at the scene, they found smoke and flames coming from two adjacent garages.
They launched a fire attack and the fire was quickly brought under control.
No injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation.
Sherbrook Street fire
At 8:35 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2024, WFPS crews responded to a monitored fire alarm system activation in a three-storey apartment building in the 800 block of Sherbrook Street.
When crews arrived at the scene, the found smoke coming from the building. They entered and located a fire in one of the suites. They launched an interior fire attack and declared the fire under control at 9:08 p.m. The fire was contained to the suite where it originated.
Occupants of the building safely self-evacuated. No injuries were reported. The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services team was activated to assist displaced residents.
Damage estimates are not available at this time.
Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by a failure in a lithium-ion battery.
Battery fires, of all types, can be prevented by following these tips:
- Keep batteries at room temperature.
- Store batteries far away from anything that can catch fire.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using or charging batteries.
- Only use a battery designed for your specific device. Only use the charging cord it comes with to charge the battery.
- Never charge a battery or device on a bed, couch, or other flammable surface.
- Once a battery is fully charged, unplug the battery or device from the charger.
- Don’t charge batteries while you’re asleep or when you aren’t nearby.
- Store e-bikes, e-scooters, and batteries away from exit doors and anything that can get hot or catch on fire.
- Stop using a battery if it has an unusual odour or the battery changes in colour, gets hot, changes shape, leaks, smokes or stops holding a charge.
- Have a qualified professional repair devices.
- Install smoke alarms in locations where you charge e-bikes and scooters, including inside a garage or shed.
- Follow manufacturer / jurisdictional instructions on how to properly dispose of batteries. Do not put them in trash.