Firefighter assaulted, fire truck damaged while responding to blaze in downtown Winnipeg

A Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service fire truck in May 2025. (Gary Robson/CTV News Winnipeg)

A firefighter was injured and a fire truck damaged early Friday morning while crews were responding to a vehicle fire in downtown Winnipeg.

Around 1:20 a.m. on Friday, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews were called to a pickup truck on fire in the 300 block of Princess Street.

As the fire engine approached the scene, a man standing at the intersection of Logan Avenue and Princess Street began striking the vehicle with a metal pole, causing visible damage. When the crew parked and a firefighter stepped out, the man allegedly struck the firefighter in the face with the pole.

The firefighter sustained minor injuries.

Emergency crews contacted authorities, who arrived and took the man into custody at the scene.

Investigators later determined the same individual was connected to the vehicle fire.

A 25-year-old man is now facing multiple charges, including assault and arson. He remains in custody.