One person escaped through a third floor window as a fire tore through an inner city rooming house on William Avenue.
It started around 6:00 p.m. on Monday evening in a three-storey home in the 500 block.
Christie Bear has lived in the home for almost five years with her partner and sister.
She said ten people total live in the rooming house.
Bear thought the fire started on the third floor, where her sister lived.
Intense flames forced her sister to make an escape.
“My sister, she jumped out the side. She jumped out the third window. The third floor,” said Bear.
She said paramedics took her sister to the hospital and she’s expected to recover.
“She’s got a broken wrist and they’re watching her with her breathing ‘cause she’s got bad asthma,” Bear said.
A neighbor said he was in his third floor apartment next door when the fire broke out.
“I heard people screaming saying there’s someone still inside there,” said Jeff Cook.
Cook said he called 911 and went outside immediately.
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services crews quickly brought the fire under control, but it had already destroyed the house.
“First floor is going to be heavy water damage and smoke. Second floor is basically gutted from fire. Third floor takes in some bedrooms and an attic. That’s all gone,” said Platoon Chief Ian Campbell.
Campbell estimated that the fire caused at least $200,000 worth of damage.
The cause is still being investigated.
