UPDATED

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called to what turned into a major fire Saturday night, July 11, 2020, on Elgin Avenue.

Crews arrived just before 9:00 pm and encountered smoke coming from the two-storey house. An offensive attack was launched initially by crews had to transition to a defensive attack minutes later as conditions inside the building deteriorated.

As crews began their battle a man was found collapsed outside the home covered in blood. Police on scene told News 4 that the man had been stabbed. It is not clear if the injuries were related to the fire.

An aerial ladder was set up to attack the fire from above while firefighters attacked from the ground with hand lines. Crews also were spraying water on a neighbouring home to protect it from the fire spreading.

As firefighter were working to put out the fire they had to contend with a male who was trying to get inside the burning building. Emergency crews were able to prevent the male from getting inside.

As the battle raged on, heat from the fire could be felt across the street as its intensity grew.

At one point during the blaze the roof partially collapsed.

A search of the structure did not find anyone inside.

A fire investigator was on scene and will be determining the cause of the blaze.

The building suffered significant damage due to fire, smoke and water.

© News4.ca 2020