Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two fires last evening and one early this morning.
Sharp Street fire
At 2:26 a.m. on Monday, February 10, 2025, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a one-and-half storey, single-family house in the 200 block of Sharp Boulevard.
When crews arrived to the scene, they found smoke and flames coming from the house. They launched an interior fire attack, declaring the fire under control at 2:59 a.m.
Two occupants self-evacuated from the home. Firefighters located a third individual in the house and brought them out. All three individuals were assessed by on-scene paramedics and transported to hospital – one in unstable condition and two in stable condition. Firefighters also rescued one cat and one dog from the residence.
Damage estimates are not available. Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by a failure in a lithium-ion battery or charger.
When charging anything with a battery, there is a risk of fire. You can protect yourself by:
- Always following the manufacturer’s instructions
- Using only the battery and charging cables that came with your item
- Unplugging the item once it is fully charged
- Charging your item on hard surface like a table or countertop. Avoid charging on soft surfaces like your bed, couch, or under a pillow.
Stop using or charging your item if you notice batteries the batteries are:
- Giving off too much heat
- Making odd noises.
- Leaking
- Changing shape or colour
- Showing signs of corrosion
Dufferin Avenue fire
At 7:43 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2025, the WFPS responded to a monitored alarm in a seven-storey high-rise apartment building in the 200 block of Dufferin Avenue.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found smoke in the building. They located a fire in one of the suites and quickly knocked it down. The fire and damages were contained to the suite where the fire originated.
Residents were able to safely shelter-in-place. No injuries were reported.
Damage estimates are not available at this time. The preliminary investigation suggests the fire was accidental, caused by the improper disposal of smoking materials.
Residents are reminded to follow these safety tips:
- Smoking material should always be extinguished in a proper ashtray or deep metal container. The container should be placed on a sturdy surface, away from anything that can burn.
- Do not smoke in bed or on surfaces that can catch fire (upholstered furniture).
- Always be fully alert when smoking. Don’t smoke while falling asleep, or after taking medications or substances that make you drowsy.
- Before throwing ashes and butts away, be sure to ensure they are fully extinguished. Dousing them in water or sand is the best way to ensure they are completely out.
- Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other smoking materials out of the reach of children or in a locked cabinet.
- Butts should never be thrown from balconies, decks, car windows, or disposed of near any vegetation such as grass, leaves or brush.
- Never use a plant pot as an ashtray. Potting soil is a mix of dirt and a number of combustible organic materials such as peat moss, shredded wood and minerals which are combustible. When a butt is put into a planter, it can smolder for several hours. Once the container heats up, it can crack, giving the smoldering material oxygen and the opportunity to spread to other combustibles such as decks, balconies, walls, etc.
Machray Avenue fire
At 5:27 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2025, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a two-and-a-half storey residence in the 500 block of Machray Avenue.
When crews arrived on scene, they found smoke in the house. A small fire was located and quickly extinguished.
All occupants of the residence safely self-evacuated. No injuries were reported.
Damage estimates are not available at this time. Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by a child using a lighter.
Parents/guardians are reminded to talk to their children about the dangers of playing with fire. Lighters and matches should always be stored in a place that children cannot reach.