Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Fire destroys pawn shop on Selkirk Avenue
Firefighters battle a fire in the 600 block of Selkirk Avenue early today. The blaze started about 4 a.m., with flames still erupting two hours later. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
WINNIPEG - Fire destroyed a pawn shop on Selkirk Avenue early this morning with smoke continuing to billow from the blaze for several hours.
Residents on the north side of Selkirk Avenue between Parr Street and McKenzie Street were rousted from their beds between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. and more than 20 people were evacuated from their homes.
Traffic was closed between Arlington and McGregor as firefighters fought the persistent blaze that started just before 4 a.m. but continued to erupt into flames as late as 6:15 a.m.
Winnipeg Fire Department platoon chief Steven Sumka said Selkirk Avenue will likely be closed for at least half the day.
At around 7:15 a.m., Sumka said it was too early to estimate the damage or the cause of the fire at Discount Trade & Pawn Centre at 695 Selkirk.
"There was heavy fire volume and the whole building was involved in fire when we arrived," Sumka said. "There were so many different products in the building we have to stay at this for a long time."
Thick, heavy smoke blanketed the area with the smell of burning plastic.
Emma Thompson, a nearby resident who was forced to evacuate, said, "It’s too bad, another business has been destroyed."
Stella and Walter Hrabi, 65 and 71, lived three doors west of the pawn shop.
"Our three kittens woke us up and then we saw the flashing red lights," said Stella Hrabi.
Her cats remained in her house, but firefighters escorted her back in to retrieve her diabetes medication.
Although fire officials were not able to determine the cause of the fire, some residents spoke about the regular incidence of arson in the area.
"The garbage bins are always getting torched," said Sharon Henderson. "When you hear noise at night, you have to get up and check. You have to be on the alert."
The house next to the pawn shop featured graffiti on the plywood covering the front windows.
Winnipeg Transit had a bus on the scene to provide shelter for evacuated residents. Many also expressed appreciation for the appearance of the Salvation Army emergency vehicle dispensing coffee and donuts.
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