A deadly house fire killed three people, left one other critically injured and injured two firefighters in Winnipeg’s Centennial neighbourhood.
Now, the Winnipeg police arson unit is investigating.
Our thoughts&Prayers go out to the family, friends&the inner city community of Winnipeg-2 Firefighters were hurt but not life threatening2/2
— Alex Forrest (@wpgfirefighter) February 28, 2016
The fire broke out in the 300 block of Alexander Avenue around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
Firefighters pulled four victims out of the house in critical condition. Two women, aged 20 and 21, died from their injuries Sunday morning. A third victim, a 49-year-old man, died from his injuries later on Sunday.
A fourth man remained in critical condition Sunday afternoon.
Leo Jacob’s brother Melvin was the 49-year-old victim who died on Sunday. When CTV spoke to him, Jacob’s brother was still on life support.
“Right now he’s got no activity in his brain, so they’re probably going to end up asking us if we want the plug pulled,” he said. “I want to give him a chance to hopefully come out of it. That’s what I’m hoping. I don’t want my brother gone.”
Tearfully, Jacob described how he and his brother would do everything together. “Whenever I’d come home, he’d be home,” he said.
I know I speak for all Firefighters, especially the men and women who fought this fire when I say We are profoundly sad for these deaths1/2
— Alex Forrest (@wpgfirefighter) February 28, 2016
An additional 10 people made it out of the house alive, said Alex Forrest, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg. Some received oxygen on scene. Others were taken to hospital to be checked over.
Two firefighters were also hurt in the blaze. One was treated for smoke inhalation, and another firefighter had an arm injury.
One dog and one cat were pulled from the house, said Forrest. Jacob said firefighters told him the dog had also died.
Jacob, his brother and his children were all asleep when the fire started, he said. The smoke was so thick, Jacob couldn’t see an inch in front of his face, he said.
After making it outside, Jacob started trying to get others out of the house. “I was trying to do what I could, I was trying to go back in. It didn’t work out, because it was too thick of smoke and I didn’t have no wet rag,” he said.
When Jacob kicked in the back door, he said flames shot out at him.
Jacob had lived in the house for at least two years, he said. “I just never expected a fire in that house.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.
This is the second deadly house fire this week. Just a few blocks away, a woman died in a rooming house fire on McDermot Avenue near Juno Street on Friday.
“It’s been a tragic weekend for firefighters,” said Forrest.
About 60 firefighters battled the fire. Over 15 crews, each with four firefighters, fought the blaze. Five crews were dedicated to fighting the fire on the inside.
Firefighters were still on scene Sunday morning, along with the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
Winnipeg police said the arson unit is investigating.
