Arson investigation underway following Exchange District fire: police

A fire at a music venue in the Exchange District is being investigated by Winnipeg police as arson.

A morning fire has damaged a historic building in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, and police are now investigating the incident as a possible arson.

Fire crews were called to the Exchange Event Centre at 291 Bannatyne Avenue just after 5 a.m., according to a news release from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. The blaze was declared under control about an hour later and no injuries were reported.

Images of the aftermath show a portion of the Exchange Event Centre with broken windows and significant fire damage to the building’s interior.

Cindy Tugwell, executive director of Heritage Winnipeg, said the gutted building was the former Maw’s Garage built between 1906 and 1907. She said the building was the city’s first automotive centre.

In 1979, Maw’s Garage was added to the City of Winnipeg’s list of historical resources.

Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson Const. Claude Chancy said the blaze is being investigated by the major crimes unit as possible arson. The major crimes unit is also investigating a fire last week at Johnny G’s restaurant in the Exchange District.

“(It’s) very, very sad that this can happen again so soon after something so heartbreaking with Johnny G’s,” said Tugwell. “But on its own, it was still very disheartening to hear that this again is happening early, early in the morning, where really no one is out to see anything.”

Later in the morning, the windows were boarded up with white plywood and the nearby sidewalk was cordoned off.

“People just have to understand these just aren’t bricks and mortar buildings. They are a fabric of our community and a very important gem in our city,” said Tugwell.

Damage estimates are not yet available.

-With files from CTV’s Joseph Bernacki