‘When will this end?’ Winnipeg restaurant calls for change amid string of fires

Another restaurant in Winnipeg’s core has been damaged by fire.

Management at a downtown Winnipeg restaurant believes a fire that broke out on its patio was an attempted arson, as police continue to investigate the latest in a string of similar incidents at nearby businesses.

Winnipeg fire crews were called to La Roca restaurant on Smith Street just before 6 a.m. on Friday.

According to the city, firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the building’s exterior. Crews were able to extinguish the blaze before it spread inside.

The fire was declared under control by 6:40 a.m.

The restaurant posted to its social media page that the fire was fully contained to the patio and never reached the inside, leaving the venue completely unharmed.

The health inspector approved the business to stay open, La Roca wrote, and the weekend’s events will go on as planned.

The post went on to say that the fire was ‘an attempted arson.’

“We are offering a cash reward for any information that helps identify whoever is responsible,” the post said.

‘The city needs to do something’

Friday’s fire is the latest in a string of fires involving downtown Winnipeg restaurants and other small businesses, including Boujee and Johnny G’s.

Business owners told CTV News last week the fires are a series of arsons tied to demands for money.

La Roca wrote in its post while fire crews were incredibly fast to respond, the ongoing vandalism is ‘genuinely dangerous.’

“The city needs to do something. Small businesses are being left behind. Businesses are being left behind. Business owners are feeling neglected. When will this end?” the post said.

According to the Winnipeg Police Service, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service notified the major crimes unit about the incident, and an investigation is ongoing.

They added there is no way to know at this point if the rash of fires are connected but reiterated that the investigation is ongoing.

CTV News reached out to La Roca for further comment, and is awaiting a response.

- With files from CTV’s Jeff Keele and Kayla Rosen