Winnipeg crews respond to fire at building with possible chemicals inside

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

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) had to call in a bit of extra help to a Friday morning building fire due to the possibility of chemicals inside the structure.

Crews were first called to the blaze at a commercial building in the 1000 block of Henry Avenue around 2:35 a.m.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found heavy flames and smoke coming from the building and launched an exterior attack because it was unsafe to go inside.

To extinguish the blaze, firefighters used a drone to provide situational awareness, as well as an aerial ladder to spray water on the flames.

The city’s hazardous materials team was also called to the incident due to reports of chemicals in the building.

Crews had the fire under control by 5:08 a.m. No one was hurt and the fire is under investigation.

Grass fire on Lagimodiere

The City of Winnipeg is also reporting a Thursday evening grass fire near Lagimodiere Boulevard and Dugald Road.

Crews responded to the blaze just before 7:50 p.m. and discovered a grass fire around 400 square metres in size.

Firefighters deployed a wildland fire response, utilizing specialized vehicles and training to extinguish the flames.

The fire was under control by 8:50 p.m. No one was injured and the fire is being investigated.

The city reminds Winnipeggers to take the proper steps to protect their homes and community from grass and wildland fires. This means not disposing of cigarette butts in any type of vegetation; cleaning up brush, leaves and grass around your home; ensuring fire pit safety; and checking your smoke alarms.