With temperatures soaring to 29 degrees Celsius in Winnipeg Tuesday afternoon, air conditioners around the city got a workout.
A house fire in St. Vital may have started in an air conditioning unit, according to neighbours.
Fire broke out around 5 p.m. in the Water’s Edge townhomes in the 1700 block of St. Mary’s Road.
The wall-mounted air conditioner and surrounding front wall were badly burnt, and parts of the unit and wall lined the home’s lawn. Several windows on the main and second floor were broken.
It appears all people and pets inside managed to escape.
As of Tuesday night, officials could not confirm the cause of the fire.
In previous years, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service has warned homeowners not to overload electrical outlets during hot weather. Portable air conditioners have caused a number of electrical fires due to overloaded circuits.
It advises to use a dedicated circuit rather than an extension cord. Manitoba Hydro can install an electrical outlet near an air conditioner unit.
