The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) had a busy weekend responding to multiple fires and a gas leak in different parts of the city.

Late Friday night, at 11:54 p.m., WFPS crews responded to a fire at a two-storey industrial structure on Henry Avenue. Upon arrival, they found heavy smoke and flames on the exterior of the building. Firefighters launched an attack using an aerial ladder truck and managed to prevent the fire from spreading into the building. The fire was declared under control by 12:44 a.m. No occupants were found inside the building and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Early Saturday morning, at 1:02 a.m., crews were dispatched to a fire at a vacant, multi-storey industrial building on Sutherland Avenue. The building had been previously gutted by a fire in July 2023 and had suffered several other significant fires since then. Firefighters launched an exterior attack, using an aerial ladder truck and hand lines to douse the flames. A WFPS drone was deployed to help direct crews to hotspots. The fire was declared under control at 2:14 a.m.

However, at 5:06 a.m., crews were called back to the same location for another reported fire. They found smoke and flames coming from the building once again and launched a defensive fire attack. The fire was declared under control at 6:11 a.m. No injuries were reported at the scene. Both fires are under investigation.

In the midst of these incidents, at 4:20 a.m. on Saturday, WFPS crews responded to a gas leak at a four-storey hotel on Fort Street. Crews found gas venting from a damaged line on the exterior of the building and quickly evacuated approximately 40 residents from the hotel. A Winnipeg Transit bus was deployed to provide shelter for the evacuees. Manitoba Hydro crews attended the scene to repair the leak. Once it was determined the building was safe, residents were able to re-occupy the hotel. No injuries were reported.

Later in the morning, at 5:29 a.m., WFPS responded to a fire in a vacant, industrial/commercial structure on Logan Avenue. The building had been previously damaged by a fire in August 2023. Crews found smoke coming from the remaining structure and launched a defensive fire attack. Logan Avenue, between Arlington Street and McPhillips Street, will remain closed until crews clear the scene. Residents are asked to avoid the area. Railway traffic on an adjacent track has been stopped as a precaution. No injuries have been reported. The fire is under investigation.

© 2024 News4.ca