A massive blaze in Winnipeg's Bridgwater Lakes neighbourhood has renewed calls for a fire hall to be built in southwest part of the city.

Crews were dispatched to a fire at a house on Rose Garden Crescent at 4:25 p.m. Monday evening.

Four people made it out safely but the fire destroyed Abdul Yusuf's home while neighbouring homes had to be evacuated.

Asha Tailor and her family live next door to Yusuf. She just got out of the shower and noticed smoke coming from her neighbour’s house, so she and her two sons ran outside.

“We just ran out quickly with our jackets and boots only and within minutes it just exploded,” Tailor said. “It was really threatening, really threatening.”

She said the flames spread fast.

“I lost hope that my house was going to be okay because the fire and flames were so big,” Tailor said. “For a moment, I just thought I lost my home. I was crying, my kids were crying.”

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service chief John Lane said the first fire crew, comprised of one truck and four firefighters, arrived on scene 11 minutes and 53 seconds after the call came in.

According to national standards, the first fire engine should arrive on scene within six minutes and 20 seconds.

The president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, Alex Forrest, said the response time highlights the need for a new fire hall to be built in the southwest part of the city.

"This is not something that surprises us because we have been asking for a new fire hall in that area for a number of years," Forrest said. "What we're concerned with is that we had to draw resources all the way from Taylor Ave., 12 station had to come.”

Forrest said crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring homes, but he worries next time the outcome may not be the same.

"We could've lost half the block," Forrest said. “It was a really good awakening for the city of Winnipeg that we need a fire hall in that area."

Lane said response coverage study will help the city determine if fire halls need to be closed and where new ones should be located.

He said that same study will help determine whether a station is needed closer to Waverley West.

Tailor said she’s thankful the fire department responded when they did.

“They saved our house," she said.

However she thinks a fire hall in the southwest part of the city is needed.

“It’s growing faster, there should be one fire department here too in this area.”