Crews battle flames at Winnipeg apartment building already damaged in rash of recent blazes
A Winnipeg firefighter was taken to hospital after battling a fire at a Spence neighbourhood apartment building – a structure that was already damaged in a number of blazes over recent months and years.
According to the city, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called to the blaze just after 7:30 Wednesday night in the 500 block of Balmoral Street, which was vacant and boarded up at the time.
Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the structure.
The city says WFPS launched a defensive attack outside the building. Once conditions improved, they went inside and finished putting the fire out.
Hose lines and an aerial ladder truck were used to douse the flames. The WFPS drone was also launched to direct crews to hotspots.
The fire was declared under control at around 8:45 p.m.
Crews searched the building, finding no one inside.
One firefighter was injured at the scene, and was transported to hospital in stable condition.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
4 previous fires at same apartment building: city
According to the city, the apartment was already damaged from a number of previous fires. The most recent was in June.
The city said if residents see someone actively entering a vacant structure, or removing boards from windows or doors, they should report the incident immediately by calling 911.
Additionally, anyone who sees that boarded windows or doors have been breached, but do not see someone going inside or attempting to enter, should report the incident to 311.
The warning comes amid a rise of fires in our city - many in vacant or derelict properties.
According to WFPS numbers, crews responded to 3,389 fires last year – an increase of about 33 per cent compared to 2022 and an 87 per cent increase since 2019.
To tackle the issue, the city rolled out a host of changes to improve safety for vacant and derelict buildings.
This includes council’s recent changes to the Vacant Building Bylaw, which creates a new standard for boarding up vacant buildings. These changes include using thicker plywood and bracing for doors and windows, and using fasteners to make boards more difficult to remove.
The goals of these bylaw changes are to prevent break-ins and cut down on calls for service to bylaw enforcement and the WFPS.
- With files from CTV's Kayla Rosen
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Donald Trump was the subject of 'an assassination attempt,' FBI reports
The FBI said Donald Trump was the target of “what appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday.
LIVE UPDATES 2024 Emmy Awards: 'The Bear' starts night off strong with big wins
'Shogun,' 'The Bear' and 'Baby Reindeer' at the topo of the queue as the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards arrive on Sunday.
B.C. to open 'highly secure' involuntary care facilities
B.C. will be opening “highly secure facilities” for people with addiction and mental health issues in the province, officials said Sunday.
They came from Jamaica for work, now they're homeless and out thousands of dollars in lost wages
Abuse of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program has left a group of carpenters from Jamaica 'destitute' after an Ottawa company refused to pay them for nearly half a year of work.
Air Canada deal avoids shutdown, brings relief to passengers and business groups
Travellers, business groups and politicians expressed fervent relief on Sunday after Air Canada and the union representing thousands of its pilots negotiated a new labour deal and averted a disruptive, countrywide shutdown.
Montreal bars, restaurants react to Quebec bill to regulate merchant tipping requests
Quebec tabled a bill on Thursday that would regulate how merchants determine suggested tips, forcing businesses to calculate them based on the price before tax. Restaurant staff and management are divided on the policy.
Queen Victoria's favourite Tuscan villa for sale for more than US$55 million
Once a favoured holiday destination for Queen Victoria, and reputedly described in one of the greatest works of Italian literature, the Villa Palmieri is steeped in history and could now be yours – if you have more than €50 million (US$55 million) lying around.
Liberals will let Conservatives hold non-confidence vote 'fairly soon', no intention of proroguing Parliament
The Liberals have no intention of using procedural tactics to delay the Conservatives' promised non-confidence motion, and they have no plans to prorogue Parliament to hold onto power, according to Government House Leader Karina Gould.
Carbon pricing to cause economic 'nuclear winter,' Poilievre tells his MPs
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre signaled the Liberals' carbon price and the economy will remain his prime target when Parliament resumes this week.