Fires broke out in a Winnipeg building Monday morning, severely damaging homes

Two large fires on Monday caused extensive damage to a building and two homes in Winnipeg.

The first fire started at 4:45 a.m. at a commercial building in the 1000 block of Keewatin Avenue.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) arrived on scene to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. Crews then began attacking the fire from outside the building due to advanced fire conditions.

Firefighters used aerial ladders and ladders to put out the fire. The WFPS drone was also used to target water currents and locate hot spots.

Crews are expected to be on the scene throughout the day, and Keewatin will remain closed until the work is completed.

The building sustained significant fire and water damage, but there is no immediate damage estimate.

A second and unrelated fire started around 6:10 a.m. at two vacant homes in the 400 block of Elgin Avenue.

Arriving at the scene, firefighters found that the fire was threatening a third house, which contained people. Police officers immediately evacuated the residents of this house.

WFPS used aerial ladders and handrails to extinguish this fire. The fire is now under control, but crews remain at the scene to extinguish the flames.

Both homes were damaged by previous fires and are considered a total loss. It was then decided to demolish both houses.

Elgin will remain closed until demolition is completed on Monday.

Both fires are under investigation.