Trash set ablaze in string of 'opportunistic arson' fires in Winnipeg's West End

Seven overnight fires clustered close together in Winnipeg's West End were the product of "opportunistic arson," says Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service Chief John Lane.

"There really were no other causing factors that could have likely been the source of ignition," said Lane. "Garbage doesn't typically spontaneously combust."

All of the suspicious fires happened between Furby and Agnes streets near Ellice Avenue, the City of Winnipeg said in a news release.

Emergency services were called to the first fire at 2:58 a.m. after some garbage erupted in flames behind a home on the Furby, between Ellice and Sargent avenues.

Ten minutes later, at 3:08 a.m., another call came in reporting a second fire on the same block of Furby. Crews found a garage on that block, engulfed in flames.

Around the same time crews responded to the garage fire, a three-storey apartment building was evacuated a block south on Furby, the city's release said. The apartment building was the third fire of the night. 

The apartment fire was brought under control within 20 minutes.

"Occupants of the building were able to return to their suites once the fire was extinguished," the city said.

Then, at 4:18 a.m. firefighters responded to another garbage fire, the fourth of the night, on McGee Street between Ellice and Sargent. A few minutes later, a fifth fire, on the exterior of a home on Agnes, between Sargent and Wellington avenues, was also reported.

"[The Agnes] fire was quickly knocked down but crews then discovered two separate garbage fires on the same block," the city said.

All of the fires are under investigation and are considered suspicious. Anyone with any information is asked to call Winnipeg Police Service.

No injuries were reported, said Lane, and there isn't any known connection to other fires set this summer.

"Whether it's an individual that has that propensity or whether it's maliciousness on the part of a few individuals for a short time period is hard to tell," he said.

He emphasized that homeowners need to be careful about trash and other flammable materials they leave outside this time of year. It's important to only put out trash and recycle bins on collection day and to call 311 to pick up yard and bulky waste, said Lane.

"Every spring and summer we see an increase — in fact a significant increase — in these types of fire," he said.

"If there are accumulations of newspapers or anything flammable, it's just an invitation for idle hands to set a fire."