Crews battled a major fire at a Winnipeg lumber mill Sunday morning

A fire at a lumberyard filled the skies of downtown Winnipeg with black smoke Sunday morning.

City of Winnipeg Fire Paramedics responded to reports of the fire around 1:36 a.m. Sunday, according to a City of Winnipeg news release. A second alarm went off, prompting more crews to the scene on Logan Avenue.

Logan Avenue and Alexander Avenue are closed between Arlington Street and McPhillips Street, the release said.

“Big fire, huge amount of smoke,” said Bryce Chan, who lives near the fire.

“It's a lot of smoke, smoke damage all over the area,” said Steven Bruce, a business owner in the area who handles auto parts. Bruce was worried about how the smoke might affect the cars in the garage on Sunday morning.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic District Chief John Senkowski said the humidity and wind speed are keeping the smoke low in the area. (Walter Bernal/CBC)

Six homes on Alexander Avenue were temporarily evacuated as a precaution and residents are temporarily sheltering on Winnipeg Transit buses.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic District Chief John Senkowski said he spoke with the building's owner, who said there was a variety of woodwork, equipment, paint and varnish inside. Senkowski said he expects crews to be on the scene by noon.

Senkowski said one firefighter suffered “minor injuries” but was evaluated at the scene and did not need to be taken to the hospital.

Fire and smoke are coming from the concrete building. (Walter Bernal/CBC)

Senkowski said crews are more concerned about the area's air quality. He said the smoke may be lower “for a while.” It advises people to keep doors and windows closed. He said Winnipeg Transit is on scene and can take people elsewhere if needed.

“Air quality will be very poor … due to relatively high humidity and wind speeds,” he said.

The City of Winnipeg also tweeted Sunday morning asking people to avoid the area. They are also urging residents living near the fire to close windows and doors to protect air quality in their homes.