Winnipeg fire crews were kept busy Thursday morning responding to two structure fires.
According to the city, the first was called in just before 6 a.m.
Crews arrived on scene to a two-and-a-half-storey home on Winnipeg Avenue to find heavy, black smoke coming from the structure. Someone was trapped on the upper floor.
Firefighters rescued the person using ladders outside, while crews launched an attack from the inside.
The city said freezing temperatures created challenging conditions. The area around the home was ice-covered and slippery.
Crews rotated in and out so they could take breaks from the extreme cold.
The fire was declared under control just before 7 a.m., but crews remained on scene to put out hotspots.
The person rescued from the home was assessed by paramedics and taken to hospital in stable condition.
Firefighters also rescued two cats.
No other injuries were reported.
The city said road closures will be in effect until work is finished at the scene.
Residents should use caution in the area, as water used to fight the flames will freeze, creating slippery conditions.
City crews will monitor conditions and add sand and de-icing agents to roadways and sidewalks to improve traction.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available, but the city said the home suffered significant smoke, fire, and water damage.
Second fire breaks out in Dufferin townhouse
Firefighters were also called shortly after 6 a.m. to a fire in a two-storey townhouse in the first 100 block of Parr Street.
Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from one of the units. They worked to knock them down so they could go inside to fight the flames.
All occupants self-evacuated before fire crews arrived. They were assessed by paramedics and taken to hospital in unstable condition.
No other injuries were reported.
Firefighters remained at the scene Thursday morning, and are being rotated in and out to give breaks from the extreme cold.
People living in nearby townhouses were also evacuated, and a city bus was brought in to keep them warm. The city’s emergency services team is providing temporary support to the evacuees.
Road closures will remain in the area until work is done.
Once the incident is mitigated, the city said residents should be careful in the area as water used to fight the fire will freeze and make for slippery conditions.
City crews will monitor and treat roadways to improve traction.
The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available, but the city said the structure sustained significant smoke, fire and water damage.
