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Fire damages historic building in Exchange District

The fire at 221 McDermot Ave. Thursday evening turned out to be a minor blaze on the main floor and witnesses reported there appeared to be mostly water damage.

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The fire at 221 McDermot Ave. Thursday evening turned out to be a minor blaze on the main floor and witnesses reported there appeared to be mostly water damage. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a minor fire that damaged a historic building in the Exchange District Thursday evening.

The fire occurred on the main floor of the Bate Block at 221 McDermot Ave. It caused an estimated $50,000 in smoke and water damage to the building and another $50,000 in damage to its contents.

The Bate Block, built in 1883 and renovated and expanded in the early 1900s, was the one-time home of the Manitoba Free Press, now the Winnipeg Free Press.

Five fire trucks were at the scene last night. Crews were mopping up at the scene by about 9 p.m. The fire forced the evacuation of eight to 10 tenants in artist studios.

Water from the building’s sprinklers briefly poured out into the street.

History

Updated on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 7:53 AM CST: Updated

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