Firefighters are settling in for a long battle in Point Douglas

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Structure Fire

Firefighters are settling in for a long battle in Point Douglas

September 28, 2021

UPDATED

Winnipeg Fire officials say that crews could be on-site of a warehouse fire in Point Douglas for several days.

Around 11:20 am on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, firefighters were called to a working structure fire in a commercial building just off Point Douglas Avenue.

When firefighters arrived heavy smoke and flames could be seen coming from the building. A defensive attack was launched using handlines.

More than 100 firefighters and 33 pieces of equipment are currently working the fire including the WFPS drone.

A firefighter looks on as a crew battles the fire from the rear of the building
(Robb Mitchell / News 4)

Crews used a water cannon on top of a pumper truck to try to reach the centre of the building from above. Hydro lines in the area made it difficult for aerial ladders to operate.
(Robb Mitchell / News 4)

“The fire appears to be in the middle of the building so the roof has collapsed in on either side to make it unsafe for crews to make entry into the building,” said Assistant Chief of Fire Rescue Operations Jamie Vanderhorst.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from across the city as residents took to social media posting their images.

Vanderhorst said that as far as they know the building had no one inside but due to the danger inside the building firefighters have not been able to verify that.

Firefighters pour water on the flames from outside the building after a roof collapse made it too dangerous to enter the building (Robb Mitchell / News 4)

Firefighters take a break during Point Douglas fire as temperatures hover around 30c
(Robb Mitchell / News 4)

Due to the temperatures fire crews were being rotated in order to give them a chance to cool down and rehydrate.

Firefighters are continuing to battle hotspots but the roof of the building has collapsed making it difficult to reach the area from outside. Crews are also having a difficult time raising aerial ladders to help fight the blaze due to hydro lines in the area.

Crews are also protecting the exposures of other buildings in the area and putting out embers being carried by the wind. At one point in the afternoon an ember ignited rail ties on a nearby railcar.

Smoke billows from a railcar after rail ties caught on fire from an ember next to the Point Douglas fire on September 28, 2021 (Reid Legary)

Police and Cadets had blocked off Higgins Avenue between Sutherland and Annabella Streets and traffic was detoured away from the fire area.

About 10 homes in the area were temporarily evacuated according to the City of Winnipeg and it is not known when residents will be allowed back in.

One firefighter was treated by paramedics at the scene then taken to hospital in stable condition with undisclosed injuries. No other injuries were reported.

A Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service fire investigator was on scene of the fire and is investigating the cause.