Winnipeg house to be demolished after fire causes structural damage
Road closures expected on William Newton Avenue until demolition work is complete
City crews are demolishing a vacant two-storey house in Winnipeg's Elmwood neighbourhood after the building went up in flames on Sunday.
Winnipeg firefighters responded to reports of a fire at the boarded up house around 7 a.m. on William Newton Avenue between Allan Street and Elmwood Road, according to a city news release.
When firefighters arrived, they saw heavy black smoke and flames coming from the house.
Fire crews declared the fire was under control around 8:30 a.m. and were able to protect neighbouring houses from fire and heat damage, the city said.
Due to structural damage and safety concerns, city workers are arranging an emergency demolition and road closures in the area will remain in place until the work is finished, the release said.
No injuries have been reported due to the fire, but residents in the area should be cautious because water used to attack the fire has frozen and created slippery conditions, the city said.
City workers are sanding roadways and sidewalks to improve traction.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service previously extinguished fires at this location in August last year, caused by an electrical malfunction, and in September that same year.
The City of Winnipeg reminds people to report incidents involving a person actively entering a vacant building or removing boards from windows or doors by calling 911. People can report any windows or doors that have been breached to 311 by phone or online.