Police confirm Winnipeg's Chestnut Street fire was arson

Winnipeg police are saying a Chestnut Street garage fire, which spread to and burned the home and garage next to it, was the result of arson.

• Wolseley fire rips through multiple homes, leaving melted streetlights, rubble

The fire was reported at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday and while no one was hurt, damage is estimated at $80,000, police said.

Roughly two hours before the garage fire was reported, a massive fire engulfed and destroyed a condominium complex and twonearby homes at Maryland Street and Westminster Avenue. Six people were hurt in the blaze, but all have been released from hospital.

"Those two [fires] certainly are very close in time and they're very close in location. Investigators are looking at the potential that they are linked but they don't have any information that they are linked at this point," Const. Rob Carver said Sunday.

The arson unit is investigating.

Police are asking anyone with information about either of the fires to call investigators at204-986-6813or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).