One injured in Sunday house fire

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This article was published 14/01/2024 (867 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A firefighter was injured while battling one of two blazes that broke out across Winnipeg on Sunday.

Around 3:31 a.m., firefighters responded to a house fire in the 700 block of Toronto Street in the Daniel McIntyre neighbourhood, the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service said in a news release.

“When crews arrived to the scene, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. A defensive fire attack was launched,” WFPS said.

Firefighters fought the flames from the outside the home until fire conditions improved and crews were able to enter and completely extinguish the blaze.

The fire was declared under control shortly after 6 a.m., WFPS said.

A search of the building found no occupants, and no injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation and damage estimates are currently unavailable, WFPS said.

Elsewhere, in the North Point Douglas neighbourhood, firefighters responded to a fire in a two-and-a-half-storey multi-family home in the 100 block of Rex Avenue around 11:20 a.m.

“When crews arrived, they found smoke and flames coming from the house, and initially launched an interior fire attack. Shifting conditions meant that crews had to exit the structure to fight the fire until it was safe enough to reenter it,” WFPS said.

The fire was declared under control around 2:37 p.m., but fire crews were expected to remain on scene throughout the afternoon and into the evening extinguishing hotspots.

By 3:30 p.m. crews were clearing the scene as the house, which was seriously damaged by fire, continued to smolder.

The Winnipeg Police Service closed nearby roadways, including sections of Grove and Hallet Streets, and assisted in rerouting traffic.

All occupants got out from the home safely and other nearby houses were evacuated as a precaution.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was treated by paramedics on-scene. No other injuries have been reported at this time, WFPS said.

The fire is under investigation and damage estimates are not available at this time. The home suffered significant smoke, fire and water damage and is expected to be a complete loss, the release said.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca