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Keewatin Street strip mall fire causes heavy damage – Winnipeg Free Press

A fire caused “significant” damage to a strip mall on Keewatin Street early Monday morning.

Crews were dispatched to the strip mall in the 1000 block of Keewatin at approximately 4:43 a.m. and saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the one-story building. Firefighters used a drone to help control aerial ladders and water jets and spot hot spots to fight the blaze.

“The building was significantly damaged by fire and water. It is not possible to estimate the damage at this time,” the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said in a press release.

A firefighter near a strip mall Monday morning.  (Mike Diehl/Winnipeg Free Press)

A firefighter near a strip mall Monday morning. (Mike Diehl/Winnipeg Free Press)

Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene throughout the day as they work to extinguish the blaze. Keewatin is closed in both directions between Inkster Boulevard and Church Avenue. The area around the fire will remain closed to traffic until the scene is completed, WFPS said.

Later, at 6:10 a.m., crews were dispatched to a fire at two vacant two-story homes in the 400 block of Elgin Avenue. The fire threatened a third, occupied home, WFPS said.

The fire was under control by Monday morning, but crews will remain on the scene for some time to put out hot spots.

“Both homes have sustained extensive damage from previous fires and are considered a total loss. Demolition of both structures is underway,” WFPS said.