Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews were kept busy overnight and into Tuesday morning, responding to two separate fires and a significant carbon monoxide incident.
The first fire broke out at an apartment building in the 400 block of Henderson Highway at 11:05 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025. Firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames visible, and quickly worked to bring the blaze under control by 11:40 p.m. All occupants managed to safely evacuate the building. Paramedics transported one individual to hospital in stable condition. A Winnipeg Transit bus was deployed to provide temporary shelter for displaced residents, while the City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services team offered further support. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Just hours later, at 1:17 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, WFPS responded to another fire, this time at a two-storey residential building in the 0-100 block of Gilbert Avenue. Similar to the previous incident, firefighters encountered flames and smoke upon arrival. The fire was declared under control by 2:08 a.m. All occupants safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The cause of this fire is also under investigation.
Later Tuesday morning, at 9:29 a.m., WFPS paramedics were called to a home on Sharron Bay for a medical assist. Upon entering the residence, their department-issued carbon monoxide alarms sounded, revealing a dangerous level of carbon monoxide at 300 parts per million (ppm). This prompted the dispatch of additional WFPS units. Nine individuals were transported to hospital in unstable condition. Firefighters ventilated the home, and Manitoba Hydro was called to investigate the source of the leak and ensure the property’s safety.
WFPS is reminding residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide, an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that can be fatal. Common causes include malfunctioning heating systems, improperly vented wood stoves, blocked furnace exhausts, and idling vehicles in enclosed spaces.
“The only way to know if carbon monoxide is present is to have a working carbon monoxide alarm to alert you,” the WFPS stressed. “All homes in Winnipeg should have working carbon monoxide alarms installed on each floor, and these alarms should be tested regularly.”
Anyone who suspects they are being exposed to carbon monoxide or whose alarm sounds is urged to immediately exit the building, stay outside, and call 9-1-1.
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