New Directions loses PPE in blaze

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This article was published 03/01/2022 (1559 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A fire at a non-profit agency Monday may have destroyed irreplaceable artwork and damaged a stockpile of masks.

The cause of the fire at New Directions’ main office at 717 Portage Ave. is under investigation.

The fire is believed to have started on a stove in a first-floor kitchen, but that has yet to be confirmed by the fire department, said New Directions CEO Dr. Jennifer Frain. There was significant damage, but no one was hurt.

New Directions runs several group homes and community programs for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, and its stockpile of personal protective gear for staff who work in those homes was being stored in the office, Frain said.

“The province knows, and we’re scrambling to make sure we have enough PPE to supply our staff, so that’s the biggest immediate concern.”

As well, Frain said she’s concerned the fire may have damaged a number of murals created by youth and local artists as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action.

“We’re really hoping that those can be salvaged,” Frain said.

“Those are probably lost to us, but we don’t know for sure.”

The space was also used for cultural programming for Indigenous youth, and is where they would use sewing machines and make regalia.

The office was closed when the fire started, with staff off work in lieu of New Year’s Day, but cleaners were present, Frain said.

The office will be closed until further notice and staff haven’t been able to access it to see the extent of the damage.

“There’s significant damage, but we won’t know the full extent until (Tuesday), at the earliest.”

The building’s fire alarm alerted the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service about the flames at 10:49 a.m., and crews declared the blaze under control at 11:44 a.m., the City of Winnipeg said.

Fire and police vehicles remained on scene into the afternoon. The area was closed to traffic until just after 1 p.m. and six Winnipeg Transit bus routes had to be detoured.

The building was insured, and Frain said she’s just glad no one was hurt. Many staff were already accustomed to working remotely, she said, and they hope there will be a limited effect on programming at New Directions. Frain said her priority is making sure workers are protected.

“It’s a really bad time in winter; it’s also really bad with Omicron, because we’re already short-staffed, and we need to do everything we can to protect our staff who are working in the homes in the community.”

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca