Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two structure fires this morning.
At 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant, two-storey house on Berlin Street.
Upon arrival on scene, crews found smoke and flames coming from the house. They entered the house and launched an offensive fire attack. A search of the house was completed and no occupants were found. Due to deteriorating conditions firefighters were forced to exit and transition to a defensive fire attack.
Firefighting operations remain ongoing at this time with firefighters using an aerial ladder and hand lines to apply water to the fire. Extreme cold temperatures are creating challenging conditions for firefighters, with the area around the scene being ice-covered and slippery. Crews are being rotated in and out of operations as required to provide them with breaks from the cold. It’s expected that crews will be on scene into the afternoon.
Due to structural concerns and to ensure all hot spots are extinguished, WFPS is arranging an emergency demolition. Road closures in the area will remain in place until work is completed at the scene.
Once traffic in the area re-opens, residents should be cautious, as water used to fight the fire is frozen and conditions may be slippery. City of Winnipeg crews will be monitoring conditions and applying sand and de-icing agents to roadways and sidewalks as required to improve traction.
The fire is under investigation.
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.
Lindsay Street fire
At 8:51 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, WFPS crews responded to reports of a vehicle fire in the 300 block of Lindsay Street.
When crews arrived at the scene, they found the vehicle engulfed in fire with the flames threatening an adjacent garage. Crews quickly launched a fire attack, preventing the fire from spreading. They declared the fire under control at 9:09 a.m.
No injuries were reported.
The fire is under investigation, but 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:
- 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 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.
- 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.