‘Winter from hell’: firefighters grapple with spike in vacant building blazes By: Chris Kitching Posted: 6:12 PM CST Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024

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This article was published 18/01/2024 (915 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A record year for fires in vacant buildings has given way to a “winter from hell” for firefighters, while the City of Winnipeg takes steps to penalize owners of burned-out derelict structures.

United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Tom Bilous said the number of blazes in vacant buildings was closing in on 150 in the last 12 months.

“This has been the winter from hell regarding vacant buildings,” said the union leader. “There are surprises in these buildings. You cannot be too careful with those (fires).”

The increase has coincided with a rise in vacant properties, some of which remain empty for years or become a magnet for crime or drug use.

About 675 properties are subject to the vacant buildings bylaw, according to city data. The total in 2018 was 471.

The city recorded 125 fires in vacant buildings between January and mid-November 2023 — a new annual record. A full year-end tally from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was not yet available.

The previous highs were 84 in 2022 and 64 in 2021.

“This has been the winter from hell regarding vacant buildings.”–United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Tom Bilous

Bilous said long-term vacant homes deemed irreparable and uninhabitable should be demolished swiftly.

Last year, city officials stepped up efforts to slash the number of vacant building fires and recover some costs, citing safety risks and added work for WFPS, police, bylaw officers or other public resources.

City hall recently billed a property owner $105,000 for the cost of fighting three fires at a vacant home on Elgin Avenue.

A different property owner is being taken to court for unpaid fees and reimbursement for bylaw inspections involving four inner-city houses. The city is seeking $20,000 plus costs in that case.

In May 2023, the vacant Coronado Apartments at 485 Furby St. were used as a backdrop when city officials announced new measures, including increased bylaw enforcement and expedited demolitions.

On Wednesday, WFPS crews battled a blaze at the site for the fifth time since 2020.

The building is still vacant and causing concern in the core-area Spence neighbourhood.

“It’s been an ongoing problem, getting broken into and fires being set,” said Brad, a Furby Street resident who declined to give his last name. “With no occupants, it’s not near as bad as it used to be when people were living there. There was all kinds of police presence.”

“It’s been an ongoing problem, getting broken into and fires being set.”–Brad, Furby Street resident

The body of a homicide victim was found inside the building in February 2022.

Brad said the block, built in 1912, should be torn down and replaced.

A numbered company that owned the three-storey brick building was placed into receivership in March 2023.

WFPS spokeswoman Erin Madden said the block was ordered vacated in August 2022 amid issues with the fire alarm system, smoke alarms and fire separations.

“We understand that building ownership was working to correct fire code deficiencies when the fire occurred (Wednesday),” she wrote in an email.

Two bylaw compliance orders, related to general maintenance standards, are active.

The property, which has about 30 suites, was put on the market for $350,000 last year. An online listing said the building will be sold on an “as-is where-is basis,” with potential buyers “required to carry out their due diligence as to viability of reusing the structure.”

Coun. Cindy Gilroy is eager to see a redevelopment project in her ward.

“The local residents are really in fear of that property and what is going on there,” the Daniel McIntyre councillor said Thursday.

The situation speaks to the need for supports for vulnerable Winnipeggers, including those with addictions, she added.

Gilroy said vacant residential buildings that can be brought up to code can help to fill some of the city’s housing shortage. “We don’t want to see these buildings sitting empty.”

The latest bylaw measures were approved by council in June. It’s too early to know how well they are working, said Gilroy and Coun. Sherri Rollins, chairwoman of city hall’s property and development committee.

“Certainly, we’re monitoring,” said Rollins.

In addition to introducing fees and expediting demolitions, the amended bylaw requires owners to better secure vacant properties. A problem properties task force was set up to help co-ordinate efforts and improve communication between city departments.

On Thursday, crews battled a fire in a vacant bungalow on the 700 block of Toronto Street shortly before 7:30 a.m. No one was inside the home when they arrived, the city said.

Vacant building fires heap more pressure on WFPS crews — who are already dealing with an “extremely high” call volume, said Bilous — and present additional dangers.

Some derelict buildings are structurally unsound and unsafe for crews to enter. The structures usually do not have functioning fire detection systems, which means a blaze is well underway before firefighters arrive, said Bilous.

Some fires are set by squatters who are trying to stay warm, he noted.

Bilous said fires in winter bring unique risks for crews, including frostbite and ice that forms while water is sprayed from hoses.

When vehicles and gear freeze up, more time is needed to get them ready for the next call, he added.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca