News briefs for Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Vacant house destroyed in yet another fire

8:32 AM

A boarded-up house that has been the site of four fires in less than 10 days will be demolished after the latest blaze.

Fire crews were sent to the vacant home in the 500 block of Ross Avenue at 5:40 p.m. Monday and fought the blaze from outside because it was unsafe to enter. Firefighters used an aerial ladder to spray water on the fire from above.

Crews evacuated two neighbouring homes as a precaution. The vacant building will be demolished because its structural integrity has been “compromised,” the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said Monday night.

Two duplexes gutted in early morning blaze

8:48 AM

Two vacant duplexes were destroyed and two other homes were damaged after a fire broke out on Manitoba Avenue early Tuesday.

Fire crews were sent to the scene in the 500 block of Manitoba at 2:29 a.m. and saw heavy flames and smoke coming from the two boarded-up duplexes.

Firefighters tried to protect neighbouring homes from damage. Homes on both sides of the duplexes were evacuated, and a bus was used to shelter the residents. No one was injured, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said.

Fire crews have ordered emergency demolition of both vacant duplexes and will remain on scene throughout the morning until the demolition is complete and the fire has been fully extinguished.

One neighbouring home sustained damage from the water used to fight the fire, and another home sustained other damages, the WFPS said.

Man, 66, dies after Roseisle crash

12:31 PM

A man is dead after a two-vehicle crash west of Roseisle on Monday.

Pembina Valley RCMP officers were sent to the scene of the collision on Provincial Road 245, about 2 km west of Roseisle in the RM of Dufferin, at about 11:25 a.m.

RCMP said Tuesday that an investigation has determined that a Roseisle man driving a westbound SUV was trying to turn south onto Road 40 West when his vehicle was hit by an eastbound pickup truck.

The 66-year-old driver of the SUV was transported to hospital, where he died from his injuries. The driver of the truck — a 67-year-old man from Notre Dame de Lourdes — and the 66-year-old woman who was his passenger were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

RCMP are investigating.

Watchdog investigating after police cruiser, civilian vehicle collide

1:12 PM

The province’s police oversight agency is investigating after a Winnipeg police vehicle and a civilian’s vehicle collided in the city’s downtown Sunday, breaking the motorist’s rib.

The Independent Investigation Unit said the Winnipeg Police Service notified it of the 6 p.m. Sunday incident at Notre Dame Avenue and Donald Street the following day.

The notification said the civilian driver had to be taken to hospital with a broken rib, while two officers were also taken to hospital for examination.

The IIU did not reveal further details of how the collision occurred.

Winnipeg police warn of Winnipeg Jets whiteout ticket scam

3:55 PM

Police are warning Winnipeg Jets fans to beware of scammers claiming to be selling tickets to sold-out whiteout street parties and playoff games.

Several people have reported sending money to unknown sellers advertising online but not receiving the promised tickets in return, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a release Tuesday.

True North Sports and Entertainment has confirmed all tickets to whiteout street parties and home playoff games scheduled for April 22 and April 24 are sold out. Tickets for the “Party in the Plaza” at True North Square are still available for April 24.

Tickets should only be purchased through Ticketmaster, the events’ official vendor, police said.

“Street party tickets sold on any other online platform, including resale platforms, are unverifiable and should be considered fraudulent,” police said.