Maryland fire victim says she had complained to police about vacant building

A Winnipeg woman who was rescued from a massive fire in the city's Wolseley neighbourhood says she had noticed suspicious activity coming from a construction site next door that was destroyed in the blaze.

Helen Procner remains in hospital following the fire early Saturday morning at Maryland Street and Westminster Avenue, which destroyed her home, as well asan apartment complex under construction and another home nearby.

Procner, who uses a wheelchair, and her sister, Neda,were rescued from the blaze by four firefighters.

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On Tuesday, Procner told CBC News she had concerns about living next to a vacant building and even complained to police and the developer,RanjjanGroup of Companies,about a week before the fire.

"A week from the Friday someone had been in the condo at night around one in the morning and they were making a lot of noise and I heard them, so I phoned the police.I saw a guy jump down from inside the condo, because they always left it open so anybody can go in," she said.

Procner said a police car was sent to check it out, while the developer did nothing.

Police have said two people were seen leaving the area just before the fire started, but they haven't said if that information came from witnesses or from video surveillance.

Angry with developer

Procner said she's angry that the developerwants to rebuild the complex.She saidthe buildingtook up a whole block and blocked all the windows in her house.

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"The thing was a monstrosity, you know, but somehow the city let them do this," she said.

"I think they have some answering to do, some explainingto do, because that's not OK, not acceptable at all."

A spokesperson for theRanjjanGroup of Companies,who did not want to be named, said construction of the Flats on Westminster will begin anew in about a month, once the area is cleaned up.

The company is adding extra security patrols and surveillance cameras, the spokesperson added.

As for Procner, who is recovering from burns to her arm, she said she lost her wheelchair in the fire.

Hospital staff are trying to find her a loaner wheelchair that she can use when she's discharged, she added.

Neighbour Anne Fountain, who started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a permanent replacement for Procner's wheelchair, said shecontacted Procnerabout iton Tuesday afternoon.