Reacting to three distinct fires within only 24 hours, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) had a difficult day on February 9, 2025. These events highlight the complexity emergency services face when several crises strike quickly one after another. We will examine these incidents, investigate their origins, and talk about what they signify for Winnipeg’s fire safety on this blog.
Detailed Account of the Fires
Sharp Boulevard Fire
On February 9, 2025, at 2:26 a.m., the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to a fire at a single-family house on Sharp Boulevard. When firemen arrived, the one-and- a- half-story house was spewing smoke and flames. Two residents were able to flee on their own; a third was saved by firefighters.
At the site, paramedics evaluated all three people; one was sent to the hospital in an unstable state and the other two in stable condition. Two other rescues from the house were a dog and a cat. Initial results point to an accidental fire most likely resulting from a fault in a lithium-ion battery or charger.
Dufferin Avenue Fire
On February 9, 2025, at 7:43 p.m., the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) answered a monitored alarm at a seven-story high-rise apartment complex on Dufferin Avenue. Arriving team members saw smoke in the structure, coming from a fire in one of the rooms.
The fire was soon put out, and damage limited to the suite from which it started was noted. There were no recorded injuries; residents could securely hide-in-place. Based on preliminary research, the fire was probably unintentional and brought on by incorrect smoking material disposal.
Machray Avenue Fire
On February 9, 2025, at 5:27 p.m., the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to a fire in a two-and- a- half-storey house on Machray Avenue. Arriving, workers saw smoke inside the house and promptly found and put out a tiny fire. Nobody reported any injuries; all of the residents safely left the house. Based on preliminary results, a child using a lighter most likely started the fire accidentally.
Challenges Faced by WFPS
Every day operations of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) present various difficulties. Managing several events concurrently might tax resources and complicate rapid and efficient response times. Safety for citizens and firefighters is always first, but when several crises strike at once it is increasingly difficult. A cohesive response also depends on working with other emergency agencies, including police and medical teams.
Common Causes Identified
- There is a higher risk of fire if you leave food cooking unattended or have combustible objects close to the burner.
- Electrical fires can be caused by faulty wiring, circuits that are overloaded, or equipment that aren’t working properly.
- You can start a fire if you throw out lit cigarettes or matches without completely putting them out.
- Children playing with matches or lighters run the risk of starting fires by accident.
- Smoking materials, if discarded incorrectly, pose a fire hazard.
- Dryer fires can happen if you don’t clean the lint traps and vents.
Previous Winnipeg fire Fire Incident
Young Street Fire (December 3, 2024): A two-and- a- half-story boarded house in the 400 block of Young Street caught fire. It is vacant. Safety issues drove firefighters to approach the fire from the outside using an aerial ladder. The structure suffered major smoke, fire, and water damage; immediate demolition was under way.
Redwood Avenue Fire (October 20, 2024): At the 300 block of Redwood Avenue, a vacant two-story multi-family house caught fire. Entering and battling the fire from the inside, firefighters got it under control at 1:38 p.m. Previous August 2024 and February 2024 fires had left the house destroyed.
Five Fires in Six Hours (April 27, 2024): On Saturday morning, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service answered five separate structure fires over many hours. The first fire occurred at 12:50 a.m. at an industrial building on Sutherland Avenue. The other fires were recorded at different sites, which emphasizes the difficulties emergency services have concurrently handling several events.
Preventive Measures
The City of Winnipeg changed its by-law to lower Winnipeg fire risks connected with empty homes. New guidelines call for heavier plywood and bracing to hold windows and doors, therefore making removal of boarding materials more challenging. These steps seek to lower fire hazards connected to empty buildings and stop break-ins.
Public education for schools, community groups, and at special events is offered by the WFPS’s Community Risk Reduction division. Every year, they also inspect hundreds of buildings for fire safety compliance.
