$3-million fire destroys businesses in St. James

By: Carol Sanders Posted: 1:05 PM CDT Wednesday, May. 20, 2009

WINNIPEG -- Police are looking for information about a suspicious early-morning fire in St. James that caused up to $3 million in damage.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/05/2009 (5134 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — Police are looking for information about a suspicious early-morning fire in St. James that caused up to $3 million in damage.

Demolition crews are tearing down the charred remains of a kick-boxing school and antique shop at 1851 Portage Ave., on the north side of the street between Roseberry and Collegiate streets. Another five businesses in the 1800 and 1900 blocks were also damaged in the fire.

Police went to the area to investigate a commercial break-in at about 1:45 a.m.

A fire on Portage Avenue in St. James early today cause up to an estimated $3-million damage.

Two westbound curb lanes of Portage and the back lane behind the strip of businesses were closed through morning rush hour.

Heavy smoke hung in the air hours after the fire. Ashes and puddles of foam used to fight the blaze surrounded the buildings. Neighbouring business owners said they were shocked to see the destruction when they arrived to open their shops this morning.

The blaze resulted in no injuries, according to Winnipeg fire department officials.