Police investigate fire as homicide after two people die

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This article was published 15/09/2024 (447 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

City police have launched a homicide investigation after a fire ripped through a building in the St. John’s neighbourhood over the weekend.

Details released by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service on Saturday indicated three people were hospitalized after a fire broke out within a three-storey mixed-use building on the 200 block of Atlantic Avenue.

The Winnipeg Police Service announced Sunday afternoon that two of the victims died. They have been identified as 49-year-old Geda Wodisso and 38-year-old Zenabu Gula.

Firefighters were called to the building shortly before 3 a.m., arriving to find heavy smoke and flames engulfing the structure. Crews initially fought the flames from inside, but as the situation worsened, they withdrew and used an aerial ladder to extinguish the fire. A drone was also sent up to help find hot spots, the WFPS said.

Police said firefighters found Wodisso and Gula inside one of the suites and provided them with emergency care before they were taken to hospital.

Two other people were treated for smoke inhalation, police said.

A nearby building was also evacuated as a precaution, and a Winnipeg Transit bus provided shelter. Emergency Social Services assisted displaced residents in finding temporary housing, while Manitoba Hydro shut off gas and power to several buildings, leaving some without electricity on Saturday morning, WFPS said.

The fire is suspicious and the homicide unit is now investigating, police said.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information regarding the incident, including video surveillance, is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-6508 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or winnipegcrimestoppers.org.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca