Winnipeg driver rescues passengers from burning van
A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.
Lorne Mansky was driving to work on Beaverhill Boulevard in Southdale, when he noticed an orange flame coming from below a shared ride-service van stopped across from him at a four-way stop.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
“I honked my horn, tried to make the driver aware,” Mansky said. “He didn’t see me, so he proceeded down the street.”
Mansky turned to follow the flaming van, trying to get the driver’s attention. Eventually, he was able to get the driver to stop the van.
“When I informed the driver, an older gentleman, that his van was on fire, obviously, it was a bit of a shock,” he said. “He was completely unaware.”
Mansky believes the van drove over a cardboard box, which got stuck under the vehicle and ignited. He said a bystander in the area was able to sweep the cardboard box out from beneath the van.
However, the fire started up again when the hood of the van was opened up.
“At that point, we were making some suggestions that we needed to get the passengers out of the vehicle,” Mansky said.
Mansky, the driver, and the bystander were able to get the backdoor open. The driver was able to get one passenger out with the wheelchair ramp, but it soon wouldn’t work due to the fire. Mansky then found the manual pump handle while the driver disconnected the last passenger and helped get them to safety. Another passenger, who didn’t need a wheelchair, was able to get out.
“It is a little emotional when you talk to one of them after the fact, and the guy wants to shake your hand and say, ‘Thanks for saving my life,’” Mansky said.
Firefighters soon arrived and extinguished the fire.
Mansky said he was thankful he could help.
“I've been a member of a service club for 30 plus years. We believe in working with our communities and making our communities better,” he said. “What kind of a member would I be if I completely ignored somebody in such desperate need?”
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said there were no injuries, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
The city told CTV News Winnipeg that the vehicle was not a Transit Plus van. CTV News has tried to find the company that operates the vehicle.
-With files from CTV’s Gary Robson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police questioning a man in Pennsylvania in connection with killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, law enforcement officials say
Police are questioning a man in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in connection with the shooting and killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, two law enforcement officials familiar with the matter tell CNN.
Winter storms, wind and freezing rain: Hazardous conditions expected in some parts of Canada
Hazardous conditions are expected in some parts of Canada this week.
GST break would cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces with HST asked for compensation
The federal government's GST holiday would cost as much as $2.7 billion if provinces with a harmonized sales tax asked for compensation, the parliamentary budget officer said on Monday.
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
Police search for three men who escaped from immigration holding centre in Quebec
Authorities are searching for three Chilean nationals who escaped from the Laval Immigration Holding Centre north of Montreal.
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
Celebrities spotted at Taylor Swift's final Eras Tour performance in Vancouver
Taylor Swift fans from around the world gathered in Vancouver on Sunday to witness the final performance of her massively popular Eras Tour, including a few celebrities.
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
'Emilia Perez' leads Golden Globe nominations with 10, followed by 'The Brutalist' and 'Conclave'
Jacques Audiard's audacious musical 'Emilia Perez,' about a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirming surgery to become a woman, led nominations to the 82nd Golden Globes on Monday, scoring 10 nods.