Temporary encampment in Winnipeg’s West End goes up in flames
A temporary encampment in Winnipeg’s West End went up in flames on Sunday evening.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called to the fire in the 600 block of Langside Street just after 6 p.m.
When crews got to the scene, they found several tents engulfed in smoke and flames.
The City of Winnipeg noted that several small explosions occurred, caused by compressed gas cylinders and propane tanks.
Everyone at the encampment safely got out, as well as tenants of two nearby homes. No one was hurt in the fire.
Staff with The Downtown Community Safety Partnership came to the scene to help the displaced residents.
The cause of the fire is being investigated. The encampment was destroyed and one neighbouring home sustained minor heat and smoke damage.
Firefighters in Winnipeg have responded to 20 fires in encampments since Oct. 30, describing six of them as significant.
Fire Chief Christian Schmidt said these fires put residents, the public and first responders at risk.
“People have sustained significant burn injuries at these encampments as a result of fires,” he said. “These folks suffer on their own in the community and at some point, they turn up deceased in the community or they present to the hospital with severe burns and infections. It’s a real concern.”
The WFPS estimates there are between 10 and 15 multi-person encampments in the city at any given time.
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.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
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.
$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.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
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.