Tag Archives: Manitoba

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Winkler, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for late night fire at business; No injuries reported

Winkler Fire Department crews responded to a fire at ICON Technologies Limited late last night after alarms were reported just after 11 pm. 

According to Fire Chief Richard Paetzold, WFD was called to the business, where night shift workers confirmed there was an active fire upon crews’ arrival. The building’s sprinkler system had already been activated, helping to contain the fire and extinguish much of it before firefighters entered.

Fire crews then laid approximately 400 feet of hose to put out the remaining fire. Once the situation was under control, water flow from the sprinkler system was shut off.

Chief Paetzold praised the sprinkler system, saying it “Saved the day,” and that without it, “This would have been a very different story.”

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and a damage estimate has not yet been determined.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at restaurant

A fire has forced downtown Winnipeg restaurant Commonwealth to temporarily close for repairs.

The restaurant, located at the corner of McDermot Avenue and Main Street, sustained damage after someone reportedly broke a window with bricks and started a fire inside, according to a Facebook post on Thursday by managing partner Nikola Maharajh.

The post said the building’s sprinkler system was triggered by the fire, causing additional damage.

Maharajh added that the restaurant may remain closed for “a few weeks, if not months.”

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at hotel; No injuries reported

A Main Street hotel had to be evacuated late Monday afternoon after a fire broke out.

Crews responded to the 700 block of Main Street just after 4 p.m., where they found smoke inside the building.

The hotel’s sprinkler system was activated, and crews launched an offensive attack.

A ladder truck was used to help evacuate some of the occupants. No one was injured, and residents were able to return to the building after the fire was extinguished.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at apartment building

At 11:36 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service received reports of fire at a two-storey apartment building in the 300 block of Ross Avenue.

When crews arrived on scene, they entered the structure and found smoke inside the building. When they located the fire, the sprinkler system was activated and had already knocked it down.

The building was evacuated because water from the sprinkler system caused damage to the structure. Firefighters helped some residents out of the building, while others self-evacuated.

The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services team was called to help approximately 44 displaced residents find temporary accommodations. A Winnipeg Transit bus was also deployed to provide shelter for residents.

Paramedics assessed one person at the scene and transported them to hospital in stable condition.

Damage estimates are not available at this time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at condo building; No injuries reported

No one was injured following a fire Monday evening in a Leila North condo building. 

The fire broke out just after 8 p.m. in a four-storey condo building in the 1200 block of Leila Avenue.

The condo’s sprinkler system knocked out most of the fire before crews arrived. Firefighters finished putting out the fire and it was declared under control about an hour later.

Residents took shelter in the lobby while crews put the fire out. No one was injured.

It’s believed the fire was accidental, related to lithium-ion batteries.

Other - Storage / Warehouse, Storage / Warehouse

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system contains fire at industrial building; No injuries reported

At 8:34 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2024, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to a monitored fire alarm in an industrial building in the 1200 block of Fife Street.

When crews arrived to the scene, they found smoke coming from the structure. The fire was quickly brought under control, having been contained by the building’s sprinkler system.

There were no occupants in the building at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building sustained smoke, fire, and water damage. Damage estimates are not available at this time.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for at seven story hotel; No injuries reported

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) has had a busy 12 hours, responding to two recent blazes on Pembina Highway and Main Street.

The first call came just after 7 p.m. Friday, when crews were called to a fire in a three-storey apartment block in the 1600 block of Pembina Highway.

Firefighters arrived to a building full of smoke, and tracked the fire to the laundry room. They attacked the flames, declaring them under control by 7:45 p.m.

Everyone got out of the building safely, no injuries were reported. Investigators believe the fire was accidental, caused by a dryer malfunction.

Twelve hours later, at 7:02 a.m. Saturday, crews responded to a seven-storey hotel in the 500 block of Main Street.

A WFPS spokesperson tells CTV News the fire happened at the McLaren Hotel, but was contained to a suite.

Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke in the building and quickly located the fire. It had been kept under control by the building’s sprinkler system, and firefighters were quickly able to extinguish the remaining hot spots.

Some occupants of the building self-evacuated, while others were able to shelter in place. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at seven-story hotel; No injuries reported

Winnipeg fire crews were kept busy Saturday battling a pair of high-rise fires.

The first fire broke out just before 1 p.m. on Saturday in a seven-storey hotel in the 500 block of Main Street.

When crews arrived, they found the fire in one of the suites. The fire had been kept under control by the building’s sprinkler system and firefighters were able to quickly put out the remaining hot spots.

Some residents of the building self-evacuated, others sheltered in place. No injuries were reported.

Apartment Building, Residential

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for kitchen fire in apartment building; No injuries reported

Residents from two Winnipeg apartment blocks evacuated their homes after fires started in each of the buildings.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service arrived at 207 Edmonton St. on Sunday after a kitchen fire in one of the building’s 40 suites activated the fire alarm, district chief Terry Kelly told CBC at the scene.

Crews arrived and found light smoke and water flowing from the building. Sprinklers put out most of the fire, but crews extinguished the rest of the flames, Kelly said.

Fire damage is limited to the one suite, but units below have extensive water damage, he added.

“The sprinkler activation puts a lot of water out very fast ,and that’s what we’re dealing with is cleaning up the water on the floors below,” he said.

Residents of the building — which houses single newcomer women and their children, according to its website — evacuated before crews arrived just after 1 p.m., a news release from the city says.

Crews had the fire under control within 45 minutes, and no injuries were reported.

The city’s emergency social services responded to help residents find temporary living accommodations.

The cause of the fire appears to be an accident, the city says.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Steinbach, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at window manufacturer; No injuries reported

There were no injuries from a fire Wednesday afternoon at Loewen in Steinbach.

The Steinbach Fire Department was called to the window manufacturer at approximately 2:30 pm. By then, the building was evacuated.

“Usually if we are getting a call at Loewen there is potential for a large fire,” says Fire Chief Kel Toews. 

Toews says when they arrived on scene they determined the fire was coming from within a wood hopper. 

“It was quickly extinguished,” he notes. “Fire damage was contained basically to that room.”

Toews notes the fire set off the sprinkler system and as a result there is water damage in the room below.

Jon Sawatzky is Director of Product and Marketing at Loewen. He says they are still waiting to hear the official cause of the fire and the extent of damage. But, he says damage appears minimal.

“Our staff did an incredible job of following protocol, which helped to keep everyone safe and we’re already back in operation, we’re thrilled and relieved to say that nobody was hurt,” said Sawatzky on Wednesday shortly after 4 pm.

“We also want to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the Steinbach Fire Department, Southern Health Emergency Medical Services, and the RCMP for the quick response in keeping us safe,” adds Sawatzky.