Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two house fires overnight.
Rougeau Avenue fire
At 1:29 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the WFPS responded to a monitored fire alarm in a single-family bi-level house in the 0 to 100 block of Rougeau Avenue.
When crews arrived on scene, they found smoke coming from the house. They entered and launched an interior fire attack. The fire was declared under control at 1:54 a.m.
All occupants of the house self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. One individual was assessed and treated at the scene by paramedics. The person did not require transport to hospital.
Damage estimates are not available.
Preliminary observations suggest the cause of the fire was accidental and related to smoking. 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.
Kildare Avenue West fire
At 10:06 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a single-family bungalow in the 300 block of Kildare Avenue West.
Upon arrival on scene, firefighters found smoke coming from the house. They launched an interior fire attack, declaring the fire under control at 10:27 p.m.
All occupants of the house safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. No injuries were reported.
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