Winnipeg police investigating fire as homicide after two people die in hospital
A fire that tore through a north Winnipeg building early Saturday morning is being investigated as a homicide.
CTV News Winnipeg previously reported three people were hospitalized – two in critical condition – following the fire at a three-storey mixed-use building on Atlantic Avenue.
On Sunday afternoon, Winnipeg police said the two patients in critical condition died in hospital. They have been identified as 49-year-old Geda Wodisso and 38-year-old Zenabu Gula.
Firefighters were called to the commercial/residential building around 2:49 a.m. Saturday. They arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure They initially attacked the fire from inside, but had to retreat as conditions worsened. Aerial ladder trucks were used to battle the blaze from the outside, and a WFPS drone was deployed to identify hot spots.
Police said firefighters rescued Wodisso and Gula from one of the suites and provided emergency care on-scene before the two victims were taken to hospital. Police said two other people were treated for smoke inhalation.
Police said the fire was deemed suspicious and the homicide unit has taken over the investigation.
No arrests have been made.
Police are asking anyone with information or video surveillance of the area is asked to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau's 2024: Did the PM become less popular this year?
Justin Trudeau’s numbers have been relatively steady this calendar year, but they've also been at their worst, according to tracking data from CTV News pollster Nik Nanos.
Back on air: John Vennavally-Rao on reclaiming his career while living with cancer
'In February, there was a time when I thought my career as a TV reporter was over,' CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao writes.
The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
Death toll in attack on Christmas market in Germany rises to 5 and more than 200 injured
Germans on Saturday mourned both the victims and their shaken sense of security after a Saudi doctor intentionally drove into a Christmas market teeming with holiday shoppers, killing at least five people, including a small child, and wounding at least 200 others.
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
Overheated immigration system needed 'discipline' infusion: minister
An 'overheated' immigration system that admitted record numbers of newcomers to the country has harmed Canada's decades-old consensus on the benefits of immigration, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, as he reflected on the changes in his department in a year-end interview.
School custodian stages surprise for Kitchener, Ont. students ahead of holiday break
He’s no Elf on the Shelf, but maybe closer to Ward of the Board.
Kelly Clarkson's subtle yet satisfying message to anyone single this Christmas
The singer and daytime-talk show host released a fireside video to accompany her 2021 holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around” that she dubbed, “When Christmas Comes Around…Again.
Pope Francis reprimands Vatican staff for gossiping in annual Christmas message
Pope Francis told Vatican bureaucrats on Saturday to stop speaking ill of one another, as he once again used his annual Christmas greetings to admonish the backstabbing and gossiping among his closest collaborators.