Winnipeg, MB – At 10:47 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a single-family house on Montvale Crescent.
When crews arrived at the scene, they found smoke and flames coming from the home’s attached garage. Firefighters launched an offensive fire attack and extinguished the fire by 11:26 p.m. Damages were primarily contained to the garage and vehicles inside.
All occupants 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.
Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, involving a plugged-in block heater. Residents are reminded to follow these tips to prevent these types of fires:
- Do not plug in your vehicle inside an attached or detached garage, as a fire can start in the garage and quickly spread to other structures or your home, causing damage and putting people in danger.
- Check your block heater and extension cords for frays, cracks or damage before you plug in your vehicle outdoors. If the extension cord or block heater cord is damaged, replace it as soon as possible.
- Replace your extension cord if you’ve accidently driven away with it still plugged in to the outlet and have a licensed mechanic check your block heater cord.
- Do not overload extension cords or use them as a substitute for permanent wiring.
- Do not run an electrical/extension cord through walls, doorways, ceilings, floors or under rugs or mats. If a cord is covered, heat cannot escape, which may result in a fire hazard.
- Do not allow extension cords to run through water or snow on the ground.
Euclid Avenue fire update
Firefighters worked through the night to extinguish the fire in the vacant church in the 100 block of Euclid Avenue.
Due to the freezing temperatures, fire crews were rotated in and out of frontline operations throughout the event. They used aerial ladder trucks and handlines to apply water to the fire. The fire was declared under control at approximately 1:00 a.m. and crews were able to clear the scene around 3:00 a.m.
The fire is under investigation. The building is a complete loss. Damage estimates are not available.
Roads in the area are re-opened. The area around the building is ice-covered and slippery due to an accumulation of 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.
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