Crews battle 'intense' flames, smoke as large industrial fire in Point Douglas causes air quality concerns

Plumes of dark smoke rose over Point Douglas on Tuesday morning as a large fire at an industrial complex covering most of a city block causes air quality concerns.

A brick wall collapsed and explosions were heard at the building on Sutherland Avenue, between Maple Street N. and Argyle Street N., CBC reporter Meaghan Ketcheson said from the scene.

"There are a number of vehicles, there's tire storage, there's propane canisters, so it is a significant fire load inside those buildings," Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Deputy Chief Tom Wallace said.

"We've sent messaging out over social media to inform residents to keep their windows closed, just in case. People with respiratory conditions would be potentially affected by the smoke."

Fire crews were called to the fire shortly after 5 a.m. and they encountered "intense" flames, with some embers blowing onto nearby homes, Wallace said.

WATCH | Smoke pours from industrial complex in Winnipeg's Point Douglas area:

There is a series of buildings on the same lot and that is "proving challenging" for crews, he said.

It appears there were businesses actively operating out of a section of the complex, Wallace said.

Fire officials aren't aware of any injuries and don't know whether there was anyone inside the buildings when the fire started.

Platoon Chief Doug Grieve estimated the fire was "the length of a football field from north to south and probably 50 yards wide."

Three aerial ladders and up to 15 other firefighting vehicles and apparatus were there to fight the blaze, the fire department said.

"We believe there's tire storage in there, which is always a heavy toxic fume," Grieve said.

Sutherland Avenue is closed between Disraeli Street and Main Street, and other roads in the area could be impacted through the day, the city said.

Drivers and cyclists should avoid the area, the city said.