WINNIPEG – A fire destroyed one house and heavily damaged another in the south Winnipeg suburb of St. Norbert Wednesday morning.
Crews were called to the 100 block of Payment Street around 5:00 a.m.
“The first house is completely destroyed, there’s nothing left of it,” said Platoon Chief Frank Leswick.
The neighbouring house also caught fire after the flames spread to the attic.
“It was just all in flames, it was engulfed, it was insane,” said Zacharie Fowler after his family home was badly damaged by the fire.
Fire crews battled the blaze for nearly three hours.
The Fowler’s say the fire may have started in a vehicle that might have been plugged-in inside their neighbours garage.
“I just know it started in the garage so I’m assuming something with the car,” said Ben Fowler, Zacharie’s brother.
Residents inside both homes managed to escape unharmed.
“Everybody has gotten out from all of the houses here, we have no injures, and conditions here are tough because of the freezing cold weather,” said Leswick.
Fire crews said Wednesday morning had ‘exceptionally cold weather conditions’ with temperatures close to -40 C with wind chill. But that didn’t stop crews from saving the Fowler’s family keepsakes.
“One of my mom’s concerns was all of her pictures and family memories that money can’t buy and they’ve been really good going up and getting our family albums,” said Zacharie.
Another concern is the upcoming holidays.
“Christmas is going to be a little different this year but we’ll make it through it,” said Zacharie.
The cost and extent of damage is being investigated, along with the cause of the fire.
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