Head of Winnipeg social services agency worries fire may have destroyed important regalia, murals
Rachel Bergen | CBC News | Posted: January 3, 2022 5:56 PM | Last Updated: January 3, 2022
New Directions CEO unsure of extent the organization's operations will be affected
As Winnipeg firefighters battle a large blaze at the New Directions building on Portage Avenue Monday morning, the head of the organization is worried about what could be lost.
The fire broke out just before 11 a.m., and heavy smoke could be seen coming out of the north side of the building.
Dr. Jennifer Frain, New Directions chief executive officer, said their office is not open today, but the fire originated in a main floor kitchen.
"Thank goodness we're closed. The building is empty as far as I know, or certainly we weren't running programs today because it's a day in lieu of New Year's Day. So that was the first thought that went through my mind," she said in an interview with CBC Manitoba.
New Directions is a non-profit that supports people of all ages and backgrounds with a variety of needs.
Frain says she is unsure how or to what extent the organization's operations will be affected as a result of the fire. An assessment on the damage is needed first.
However, she's concerned that the location of the fire could mean some priceless mementos and murals might be damaged or destroyed.
Next door to the kitchen where the fire originated is a sewing room meant for Indigenous people, especially children, to make regalia for ceremonies and star blankets for newborn babies.
"We house a lot of the regalia that is either being handed down as kids grow up, they often donate. They're the things that they've grown out of for other kids to be able to use," Frain said.
"That's right next to where the fire was, so [I'm] worried about that, about the work that the kids have done that is seen in the beautiful regalia ... and worried about the effects of that on the kids."
Also nearby is a mural that program participants painted reflecting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action, which Frain calls "priceless."
"For now we will keep building closed until we know what we are facing," she said. "Staff will work from home and/or support individuals we serve in the community until we can reopen."
Traffic impacted
Westbound Portage Avenue was closed at Sherbrook Street for roughly two hours as Winnipeg firefighters battled the blaze.
Winnipeg Transit said a number of bus routes were affected at the time, but its alert has since ended.