7 vehicles torched in overnight fires in Elmwood
Blazes spread to garages at 2 homes early Wednesday morning
Seven vehicles and a couple of garages were torched in Winnipeg on Wednesday morning.
It all happened in the Elmwood neighbourhood at three homes within a short walking distance of each other — and not far from where a house and garage fire brought out emergency crews just before noon on Tuesday.
Police and fire officials said the calls started coming in around 3 a.m.
A pickup truck, SUV and two cars were set ablaze behind a home in the 300 block of Talbot Avenue. The flames spread to a garage and fence. Total damage is estimated at $21,000.
Behind a home in the 300 block of William Newton Avenue, a pickup truck, a car and a recycling bin burned. Total damage there is estimated at $15,000.
And behind 401 Tweed Ave., a vehicle fire spread to a garage, causing $30,000 in damage.
There are no reports of injuries.
A man at the Tweed home said he woke up to a chorus of sirens and saw flames at the back of the property, near the alley.
The man, who didn't want his name used, said the area had an arson problem about a year ago but most of the fires were on the next street over.
Elmwood - East Kildonan Coun. Jason Schreyer lives three blocks away from where the fires happened and said he and others in the area are concerned.
"People are upset. People are disappointed. People are frustrated," Schreyer said.
"We're a fragile community."
The city councillor said he is planning to have a crime prevention meeting to address the spike in arson next month.
Schreyer is reminding citizens to speak up and phone police right away if they see anything unusual.
