Winnipeg firefighters were called to a home on London Street near Antrim Road Saturday morning, January 19, 2019, for a fire that was well involved.

Fire crews took an offensive approach to the blaze battling inside and out but quickly had to limit their attack to the outside because the main floor in the residence became unsafe.

Assistant chief of fire/rescue operations Ihor Holowczynsky said there were no injuries but that a family cat was missing.

With cold, dense air like this, it really propagates the fire. It’s a tough battle

Ihor Holowczynsky

Winnipeg was under an extreme cold warning at the time of the fire with temperatures hovering close to -30c and wind chills making it even colder. Firefighters had to be rotated due to the conditions said Holowczynsky.

About 20 residents in the area are temporarily out of their home until crews declare it is safe for them to return. The City of Winnipeg’s emergency social services team is helping those displaced to find alternate accommodations.

The cause of the fire has not been determined yet and there is no estimate of damage.