Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating after a stolen vehicle careened into a residence in the 500 block of Home Street early Friday evening.
The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has taken over the investigation following Winnipeg police officers observing an earlier reported stolen Ford F250 being driven near the 300 block of Home Street.
Just before 6:00 p.m. in an attempt to stop the pickup from fleeing, police officers positioned their vehicle across the single lane street.
According to WPS, the driver of the stolen pickup reversed into a civilian passenger vehicle after approaching the officers. The driver drove towards the police vehicle and officers who were now standing outside of their vehicle.
The Winnipeg officers on duty discharged their firearms at the stolen vehicle according to the report.
Thereafter, the stolen vehicle mounted the east boulevard and headed northbound towards St. Matthews Ave. where it hit an oncoming cruiser vehicle from an additional responding police unit.
As a result of the collision, the stolen vehicle lost control and collided with the residence in the 500 block of Home Street according to WPS.
The collision also sparked a fire which spread to a large fuel tank located in the bed of the pickup, which subsequently exploded igniting the house and vehicle on fire.
According to WPS, a 48-year-old male driver of the stolen pickup and a 29-year-old female passenger were arrested nearby after attempting to flee the scene on foot. They have been detained in custody.
According to Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the house. Firefighters launched a fire attack from the exterior of the house as it was deemed not safe to enter. Once they could enter and battle the blaze from the inside, the fire was declared under control shortly after 7:00 p.m.
WFPS completed a search of the house and no occupants were found, however one cat was located deceased. According to WPS, no injuries were reported as a result of this incident.
