Fire guts century-old buildings on Jarvis Avenue

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This article was published 28/02/2024 (556 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A building dating back to 1910 will be demolished after the Jarvis Avenue structure was damaged in a fire that started Tuesday night.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called about a fire at a single-storey building shortly after 8 p.m.

Both the building at 246 Jarvis Ave. and the connected three-storey structure at 244 Jarvis were on fire when crews arrived. Firefighters were unable to enter the buildings because of dangerous conditions, the WFPS said in a news release Wednesday morning.

Crews used three aerial ladder trucks to blast water on the blaze and to protect another connected building at 238 Jarvis.

The buildings at 244 and 246 Jarvis both sustained major smoke, water and fire damage and are considered a complete loss, the release said.

“Emergency demolition is being arranged as the structural integrity of the buildings is compromised,” the WFPS said.

The two buildings are called the Weidman Warehouse. The warehouse was built in 1910 for wholesale grocers Mordecai S. Weidman and Hiram L. Weidman of Weidman Brothers Ltd., the Manitoba Historical Society’s website states. A one-storey stable was added beside it in 1916, and a two-storey addition was made in 1919.

The building was damaged in a fire in 1928. Another fire, in May 1947, was the main front page story in the Free Press the next day.

“Occupied by Weidman Brothers Limited until Autumn 1967, when the firm moved to new premises on Bunting Street, this building was later occupied by Imperial Soap and Supplies Limited,” the historical society’s website states.

Crews were expected to remain at the scene throughout Wednesday as they continue to battle the fire.

Freezing temperatures created challenging conditions for firefighters, the release said, with the area covered in ice.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area. Jarvis between Main and Schultz streets is closed, as is Derby Street between Sutherland and Dufferin avenues.

Water used to fight the fire has created slippery road conditions. City crews were expected to apply sand and de-icing agents to roads and sidewalks in the area, the release said.

No injuries were reported. The buildings are considered a loss.

Crews were sent to a fire in a two-storey, multi-family residence in the 400 block of William Avenue at 8:21 p.m. Tuesday. They declared the fire under control at 9 p.m.

Everyone inside got out safely, and no injuries were reported. The city’s social services team is helping 14 residents displaced by the fire.

The fire is believed to have started accidentally.

Two hours later, at 10:24 p.m., crews were sent to a fire in a six-storey hotel in the 500 block of Main Street.

Firefighters found heavy smoke on one floor of the hotel and were able to extinguish the fire before it spread further.

No injuries were reported, and the damage was minimal, the release said.

The three blazes remain under investigation.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca