In the early hours of Saturday, September 14, 2024, a significant fire broke out in a three-storey commercial and residential mixed-use building located in the 200 block of Atlantic Avenue. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to the emergency at approximately 2:49 a.m.
Upon arrival, WFPS crews were met with heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. Initially, firefighters launched an offensive attack on the fire, but as conditions deteriorated, they were forced to retreat and combat the blaze from outside. Handlines and aerial ladder trucks were deployed to douse the flames, and the WFPS drone was utilized to identify hotspots.
During the operation, firefighters conducted a thorough search of the building and successfully rescued two occupants. Other residents had already evacuated before the crews arrived, and a neighboring building was also evacuated as a precaution. A Winnipeg Transit bus was dispatched to provide temporary shelter for those affected.
Paramedics on the scene assessed multiple individuals, with two people being transported to the hospital in critical condition and one person in unstable condition.
The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services team was activated to assist displaced residents in finding temporary accommodations. Additionally, Manitoba Hydro was present to shut off gas and power to certain buildings as a safety measure, resulting in some customers experiencing power outages on Saturday morning.
Fire crews are expected to remain on the scene throughout the morning. As a result, southbound Main Street between Inkster Boulevard and Cathedral Avenue, and Atlantic Avenue between Main Street and Charles Street, will be closed to traffic. Residents are advised to exercise caution in the area.
The building sustained significant damage due to the fire, and the cause of the blaze is currently under investigation.
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