News briefs for Monday, February 16, 2026

Suspect charged in fatal West Broadway fire

1:08 PM

A 40-year-old Winnipeg man is charged with manslaughter and arson in a fatal West Broadway fire that claimed the life of 68-year-old Gregory George Thomas.

The fire in the 200 block of Young Street on Feb. 12 was deliberately set, the Winnipeg Police Service stated in a news release Monday. Police responded to the scene just after 6 p.m., while Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews were already on scene. Multiple people were evacuated from the burning home and two people were taken to hospital. An injured firefighter was transported to hospital in stable condition, while Thomas was rushed to hospital in critical condition and later died.

The homicide unit is investigating and police have laid charges against Michael Patrick Gordon for manslaughter and two counts of arson with a disregard for human life. Gordon was detained in custody.

Firefighter unhurt after fall in under-construction house

12:19 PM

A Winnipeg firefighter fell through an opening in a floor of an under-construction house Sunday night.

Fortunately, the firefighter wasn’t hurt, but a mayday alert was briefly declared as a result. It happened when crews responded to reports of fire in the Highland Pointe neighbourhood at 9:14 p.m. Feb. 15. Heavy smoke was coming from a two-storey vacant house that was under construction on Plover Place.

Crews attacked the fire and declared it under control at 10:28 p.m. No occupants were found and no injuries were reported. The firefighter who fell through the floor was assessed by paramedics on scene.

The fire is under investigation and no information on its cause or damage estimates was released Monday.