Fire destroys condo complex construction site

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This article was published 30/01/2022 (963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A multi-storey condominium complex under construction in East Kildonan burned to the ground in a massive blaze Monday afternoon.

The fire began in the area of Kimberly Avenue and London Street around 3:30 p.m., and resulted in neighbourhood residents being evacuated from their homes.

The construction project was a total loss, and the fire spread to two nearby condo buildings and a car garage, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service assistant chief Scott Wilkinson said.

“We have no report of any injuries at this time. There will certainly be some cars damaged. We did lose the car garage… and cars in the parking lot will have sustained some damage,” Wilkinson said.

“When our crews departed the station they could see extensive fire and smoke. When they arrived, they immediately set up defensive operations… That building, unfortunately, spread rapidly.”

According to multiple area residents who spoke to the Free Press at the scene, construction crews had begun working on the roof of the building in recent days.

“Buildings under construction are almost like lumber yards. They go up very, very quickly. There is no extinguishment options. They’re open-air,” Wilkinson said.

Joe Barriault, who lives in the area, told the Free Press he was working in his yard when he heard construction crews shouting.

“I heard, ‘Fire!’ So I ran out to see what was going on. There was a little bit of smoke coming out of the basement. And within 30 or 40 seconds, it was everywhere,” Barriault said.

“The smoke was billowing out from the basement… Then when the flames came up, they spread in both directions and in like 90 seconds the whole thing was (ablaze).”

Fire crews remained at the scene extinguishing hotspots until about 4:45 a.m. and will check on it throughout the day. Police are still at the scene.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation. No damage estimate was available. The parking garage belonging to a neighbouring condo complex is considered a total loss, and the two condo buildings sustained extensive fire, water and smoke damage. The City of Winnipeg said it doesn’t know when residents from the two buildings will be able to access their suites.

Kimberly Avenue reopened to traffic this morning. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians were advised to be careful because water used to fight the fire froze, creating slippery conditions that might still exist.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe