Winnipeg warehouse that Peter Nygard said housed his apartment sustains 'major' damage in fire
A building in Winnipeg’s West End has gone up in flames, causing major damage to the structure.
Just before 6 a.m. on Tuesday, crews with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to a fire alarm in the 1300 block of Notre Dame Avenue at the former Nygard building. According to the City of Winnipeg, a second alarm was also called to increase the number of crew members and amount of equipment sent to the scene.
Once on scene, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. Crews attacked the fire from outside the structure, as it was unsafe to go into the building. Firefighters used aerial ladders and handlines to extinguish the fire.
The city said crews also worked with a private company to take down part of the building to gain access to fight the fire from the inside.
Firefighters also used a drone to help with situational awareness and to direct crews to the exact locations of the flames.
No one was hurt in the fire and the fire was considered under control by the early afternoon.
Notre Dame Avenue was closed in both directions from Erin Street to Flint Street. Emergency crews have now cleared the scene, and all lanes are open to traffic.
One apparatus is expected to stay at the scene to deal with any flare-ups through the night.
The city notes that due to “atmospheric conditions,” smoke was being pushed to the ground level. Anyone who is sensitive to smoke should avoid the area.
The City of Winnipeg said it expected this to be a prolonged event and crews were expected to stay on scene for an extended period.
The city said no damage estimates are available yet but noted the building suffered extensive structural damage.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
In 2020, the property was one of several properties put up for sale after Nygard’s companies went into receivership.
During a hearing last year, Nygard said in a sworn affidavit that he lived in an apartment in the warehouse when he wasn’t living in the Bahamas.
"1340 Notre Dame, Winnipeg, Manitoba has been my residence for in excess of forty years, while I was a non-resident of Canada and a permanent resident of The Bahamas," Nygard wrote in the affidavit.
"I have been continuously residing at 1340 Notre Dame, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and have been a permanent resident of Canada in excess of one and one-half years."
On Oct. 1, 2021, the former fashion mogul consented to extradition to the United States to face sex trafficking charges in New York. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Toronto police also charged Nygard with historic sexual assault charges in connection with alleged incidents that occurred as far back as the 1980s. His lawyer Brian Greenspan said Nygard denies, "any allegations of criminal conduct."
-With files from CTV’s Danton Unger, Mason DePatie and The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.