The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) had a busy night as they battled two significant structure fires in the city.
The first blaze broke out early Sunday morning, June 30, 2024, in a vacant, two-storey, multi-family residence on the 400 block of William Avenue. WFPS crews arrived at the scene at 5:35 a.m. to find heavy smoke and flames billowing from the structure. Due to the dangerous fire conditions, crews were unable to enter the building and had to fight the fire from the exterior using an aerial ladder truck and hand lines to apply water.
The structure, which had sustained significant damage from a previous fire on June 11, 2023, is now considered a complete loss. An emergency demolition is set to begin later Sunday morning. No injuries have been reported. William Avenue, between Ellen Street and Gertie Street, remains closed and will re-open once the demolition is complete. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Prior to the William Street fire, emergency crews responded to another fire in a vacant, three-storey apartment complex on the 500 block of Balmoral Street. Shortly after 9:39 pm on Saturday night firefighters found heavy smoke emanating from the building. They were able to enter and fight the fire from the interior, declaring it under control by 10:27 p.m. A search of the building confirmed that no occupants were present, and no injuries were reported. The cause of this fire is also under investigation, and damage estimates are not available at this time.
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