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Two Winnipeg firefighters sent to hospital in St. James blaze

Winnipeg Fire-Paramedic Service. File Photo. Global News/ File

WINNIPEG – Two Winnipeg firefighters were sent to hospital after becoming trapped in a St. James basement fire.

The fire broke out early Saturday morning at a home on Bruce Ave.  After arriving at the scene, the firefighters were sent to the basement to check for victims.

They became trapped by wires and were forced to make a mayday call asking for help from crews that were working outside the home.

“That is probably the most serious thing that you can hear on a fire ground is when there’s a mayday because that means the firefighter believe they are in a life and death situation,” said Alex Forrest, president of the United Firefighters of Winnipeg.

Other crews were able to get into the basement and help the two firefighters, who suffered burn injuries, get out.

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They were taken to hospital but have since been released.

There’s no word yet on what caused the blaze but damage is estimated to be around $100,000.

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