Stretch of Main Street shut down as firefighters battle blaze at boarded-up hotel
CBC
Smoke filled the skies over Winnipeg's Point Douglas area Wednesday afternoon as crews battled a blaze at a boarded-up Main Street hotel.
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews were called just before 1:30 p.m. to the fire at the former Sutherland Hotel, at 785 Main.
When firefighters arrived, flames had already engulfed the building's third floor, compromising its stability, Platoon Chief Stephen Kumka told reporters at a news conference.
As flames spread through the building and moved to a single-storey building attached to the back of the hotel, it became a two-alarm fire, Kumka said — meaning more emergency crews were called in to help.
"The fire is getting bigger in the back, and it can move around," Kumka told reporters shortly after 3 p.m. "[It's] brick construction, has void spaces, [so] the fire can move up and move around."
The intensity of the fire made it impossible for crews to enter the building to fight the blaze or search inside the property when they first arrived.
Firefighters used aerial ladders to battle the blaze, and deployed a drone for situational awareness, the city said in a news release.
Neighbouring buildings were temporarily evacuated for precautionary reasons, and a city bus provided temporary shelter for evacuated residents.
The emergency social services team also responded to provide support and assistance to those who were displaced, the city said.
No injuries were reported, but the building is expected to be a total loss. Kumka said it's not clear if the building will have to be demolished.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A city spokesperson said Main Street remained closed on Wednesday between Higgins and Jarvis avenues. Kumka said with crews expected to work through the night, the closure was likely to continue until Thursday.
"It's gonna be a long day," he said.
Residents are advised to used caution in the area once it reopens to traffic due to slippery conditions.
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