Cause of Brandon condo fire that caused $11M in damage revealed
A fire at a condominium complex in Brandon, Man., resulted in $11 million in damage, according to a spokesperson from the Manitoba Government.
The fire broke out on Tuesday night at the building in the 1400 block of Pacific Avenue, with firefighters working through the night and into Wednesday to extinguish the fire and put out hot spots.
According to the province, the Office of the Fire Commissioner investigated and determined the fire was started accidentally through the careless disposal of smoking materials.
CTV News Winnipeg previously reported the top level of the four-storey building had extensive fire damage, while the lower levels sustained water damage. No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.
"If there is any good news story in this situation, it's that everyone was accounted for and everyone is safe," said Dean Hammond, director of emergency social services for the City of Brandon.
"A lot of these people are starting from scratch – they have lost everything. So it is no doubt a tough time for sure."
Hammond said 82 residents of the building have been impacted, with nearly half staying in a hotel in Brandon and the rest staying with friends and family.
He said the city is working with different organizations to provide interim and long-term housing for those evacuated in the fire.
"Really we are looking at those short-term needs, making sure that people are lodged, that people are fed. For those that were only able to leave with the clothes on their back, can we get them some more clothing. These types of things," Hammond said.
He said organizations in Brandon, including United Way and Salvation Army, are collecting donations to help those impacted by the blaze.
"The outpouring from the community has just been absolutely phenomenal – I mean Brandon is a very giving and caring community and everyone has expressed concern about these individuals and everyone wants to help," Hammond said.
He said the city is working on creating a web page to direct people to the organizations that are accepting donations. He said if there are any organizations that are collecting donations, they should contact the city.
- With files from CTV’s Mike Arsenault and Daniel Halmarson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.