Winnipeg fire crews respond to 2 blazes in vacant homes within 12 hours

Winnipeg fire crews responded to a pair of residential fires on Sunday.

Reports of the first fire, which occurred in a vacant bungalow onSelkirk Avenue, between Main Street and Austin Street N,were received shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, the City of Winnipegsaid in a news release.

Upon arrival on scene, firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the building. An offensive attack was launched, but deteriorating conditionsforced crewsto exit the building and transition to a defensive attack.

Crews are still on the scene as of 11 a.m. The City said it expectsextra unitswill be rotated in and out, as a precautionary measure, andremain on scene for most of today, extinguishing hot spots.

The extreme cold has created challenging conditions for fighting the firewith water, trucksand equipment freezing up quickly.

One neighbouring home was evacuated due to water damage but no injuries reported,the release said.

The city's emergency social services unit was called to assist those who were displaced by the fire in finding temporary accommodations.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available, but officials believe the building isa complete loss.

As a result of the fire, Selkirk Avenue is closed between Austin Street N and Main Street.

Once crews complete their work at the scene and roads are reopened, drivers and pedestrians are asked to use caution in the area as water used to fight the fire has frozen and created slippery conditions.

Shortly after noon Sunday, several fire trucks as well as Winnipeg police responded to anotherfire on McKenzie Street, between Stella Avenue and Flora Avenue, that affected two suites in a side-by-side home.

According to Len Krisko, a fire platoon safety officer on scene, the building was vacant andthe fire started on the main floor.

Firefighters entered through the rear of the building in an offensive attack, but had to retreat outside and fight the fire defensively for a time due to holes in the floor, said Krisko.

Hetold CBC News it's unknown what sparked the blaze and at this time it remains under investigation.

Three people from a neighbouring home were evacuated for precautions, but no one was injured.

These are thesecond and third residential fires in three days in the city. Emergency personnel responded to an apartment building fire inthe Daniel McIntyre neighbourhood late on New Year's Eve.