Twenty-five people were forced out of their homes after an early morning blaze at an apartment building on Agnes Street on Boxing Day.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service says it received a call about the fire at a three-storey apartment complex in the 500 block of Agnes Street just before 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 26.
When emergency crews arrived, the building was engulfed in smoke and flames. Firefighters entered the building but were forced to leave and launch a defensive attack on the exterior, as the building’s condition was quickly deteriorating.
All occupants of the building had self-evacuated, and firefighters found one cat and brought it to safety. Neighbouring homes were also evacuated as a precaution.
Paramedics assessed several people on scene but no one required transport to hospital. Officials say 25 people were displaced by the fire, and they are currently receiving support from the city’s social services team. Residents won’t be able to go back in the collect their belongings, as the building has been deemed unsafe to enter and is set to be completely demolished.
There is no word on the cause of the fire, but fire officials believe it broke out in a top floor suite and quickly spread to the roof.
“Without our investigators being able to enter the structure, it’s nearly impossible to determine the actual cause,” said Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Asst. Chief Ihor Holowczynsky.
Crews remained on scene throughout the day extinguishing hotspots.
Emergency crews closed Sargent Avenue between Maryland and Toronto streets, and Agnes Street is blocked off between Sargent and Ellice Avenue. Officials say once the roads reopen, drivers should be careful in the area as the road is covered in ice from the water used to fight the flames.
Fire crews respond to Christmas day fire on Furby Street
Fire crews also responded to a blaze at a three-storey apartment building in the 400 block on Furby Street just before 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 25.
All occupants of the building had self-evacuated and there were no injuries reported. Officials say the fire was under control just before 8:40 p.m.
No word on the cause of the blaze.
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