Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service chief, John Lane, says the rest of the building involved in an overnight fire will be pulled down.

Lane says that at 12:43 am Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to an automatic alarm in the 200 block of Jarvis Avenue. As crews arrived smoke could be seen coming from the second floor of the building.

An offensive attack was launched but after 30 minutes firefighters backed out of the structure due to extreme heat and smoke conditions. Firefighters transitioned to a defensive attack using hand lines and aerial water towers.

Two hours into the battle the south part of the building collapsed onto a neighbouring business. Multiple vehicles in the lot were damaged.

Although the fire is under control it is expected that firefighters will remain on scene for the next 48 hours to put out hotspots as heavy equipment takes what’s left of the building down.

Residents in the area were evacuated to a waiting Winnipeg Transit bus for several hours at the height of the fire but were allowed to return home mid-morning.

Smoke from the fire was a concern and was monitored by Manitoba Sustainable Development. The city took to social media to inform residents east of the fire what to do.

One firefighter was injured during the blaze when he slipped and fell. He did not require any medical treatment and was able to continue working.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

© News4.ca 2020