Winnipeg Firefighters Brave Three Fires in Just Two Hours
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Winnipeg firefighters were called to battle not one, not two, but three separate fires within a span of just two hours.
The first call came in at 1:30 a.m. for a fire at a residential home on the 100 block of Bannerman Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the second floor of the home. The blaze was quickly brought under control, and all occupants of the home were able to safely evacuate. However, one person was treated for minor smoke inhalation.
Just 30 minutes later, at 2:00 a.m., a second fire was reported at a commercial building on the 500 block of Selkirk Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof of the building. The fire was contained to the roof and was extinguished within an hour. No injuries were reported.
The third and final call came in at 3:00 a.m. for a fire at a vacant home on the 400 block of Manitoba Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. Due to the intensity of the fire, crews were forced to fight it from the outside. The fire was eventually brought under control, but the home was completely destroyed.
No injuries were reported in the third fire, but the cause is still under investigation.
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Chief John Lane commended the quick response and efforts of the firefighters in battling these three fires in such a short amount of time. He also reminded the public to always have working smoke alarms in their homes and to practice fire safety measures.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is also reminding residents to check their smoke alarms and to have a fire escape plan in place. In the event of a fire, it is important to evacuate immediately and call 911.
The cause of the first two fires is still under investigation, and damage estimates have not yet been released. The third fire is estimated to have caused $100,000 in damages.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is urging anyone with information about these fires to contact the Arson Strike Force at 204-986-6813 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).
