News briefs for Monday, June 12, 2023

Homes evacuated after gas line rupture in Whyte Ridge

8:55 AM

Several homes were evacuated in Whyte Ridge after someone digging a hole ruptured a natural gas line Sunday.

The person was digging a post hole at a home on Marygrove Crescent, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said Monday.

Firefighters were sent there at 2:42 p.m. and found “explosive levels of gas” inside the house. Crews worked to evacuate nine neighbouring homes as a precaution.

Firefighters monitored gas levels in the neighbouring homes, and a second showed gas readings inside. Crews searched the home, found two cats and reunited the pets with their owners.

Manitoba Hydro workers stopped the gas leak, and the WFPS ventilated the two houses until gas readings returned to normal.

Fire on William Avenue extinguished

8:56 AM

Crews extinguished a residential fire on William Avenue on Sunday night.

Firefighters were sent to the two-and-a-half-storey “converted residential dwelling” at 7:59 p.m. and fought the fire inside, declaring it under control at 8:14 p.m.

Everyone inside got out before fire crews arrived. The City of Winnipeg’s emergency social services team was sent to the site to help residents find temporary accommodations.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Man injured evading police traffic stop

1:42 PM

The province’s police watchdog is investigating after a man was injured in a rollover after a vehicle took off from a police traffic stop at Long Plain First Nation.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba said on Monday it is investigating after a man was airlifted to the Health Sciences Centre on Saturday after the incident.

The Manitoba First Nations Police Service said it was conducting a traffic stop for a possible drunk driver, and the driver had stepped out of the vehicle, when suddenly the passenger jumped into the driver’s seat and sped off at about 1 p.m.

The vehicle rolled into a ditch and the man received lower-body injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call the IIU at 1-844-667-6060.

Highway 1 collision kills passenger, injures truck driver

2:43 PM

A two-vehicle collision in the Rural Municipality of Reynolds on Saturday killed a passenger in one vehicle, and Mounties say the car’s driver could face charges.

Steinbach RCMP were called to Highway 1 near Municipal Road 54E at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

A westbound car driven by a 33-year-old man from Waterloo, Ont., struck the rear corner of a semi-truck parked on the highway’s shoulder, investigators say. The car’s passenger, a 30-year-old man who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene.

The car continued alongside the semi, hitting the truck driver, who had exited his vehicle, RCMP said.  The semi driver, a 31-year-old Winnipeg man, was hospitalized in critical condition. The car continued into the ditch before coming to a stop.

RCMP gave the car’s driver, who was not hurt, a roadside screening test that resulted in a warning. Officers issued an immediate 72-hour licence suspension. Mounties say they are still investigating and more charges could be laid.

Man, 21, charged after shot fired in rural home

2:54 PM

A 21-year-old man has been charged with a slew of firearms offences after he allegedly shot at an acquaintance in the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews last Friday morning.

Selkirk RCMP were called to a rural home in the area, where Mounties were told a man had grabbed the gun after a disagreement between the two men, shooting it at him, but not hitting him, Mounties say.

Officers from the Selkirk detachment along with specialized Mounties got a warrant and raided the man’s home, seizing a firearm and a pellet gun on Saturday. The raid temporarily closed down Highway 9, RCMP say.

The 21-year-old is charged with discharging a firearm recklessly, assault with a weapon, uttering threats and five firearms offences. He’s still in custody.

Man, 70, dies after rural ATV rollover

3:28 PM

A 70-year-old man died after his all-terrain vehicle rolled on a rural trail early Sunday, RCMP say.

The man was reported missing to the Lundar detachment at about 2:15 a.m. on Sunday and Mounties were preparing to search for him with ATVs when the sun rose.

At about 5:10 a.m., the detachment was called about an ATV rollover on Faulkner Road, where they found the 70-year-old dead. They believe he was on a trail next to the road when the vehicle rolled.

RCMP say the man wasn’t wearing a helmet and was injured by the rolling ATV.