Crews battle second fire at warehouse that burned down months ago

Winnipeg fire crews battled a fire at a vacant industrial warehouse in Point Douglas that had already burned down in a blaze more than six months ago.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) was called to the warehouse on Sutherland Avenue at Maple Street North on Sunday morning.

John Senkowsky, a WFPS district chief of fire operations, told CTV News when crews arrived they found smoke coming from the building.

“They discovered fire inside the structure, a large amount of debris burning,” he said.

But the elements caused some issues for fire crews. Senkowsky said two nearby fire hydrants were frozen and a third hydrant was too far away for crews to access. They ultimately had to use a hydrant further down the street.

“We’ve been bringing in relief crews, just because it’s an extended operation and due to weather conditions, we need to switch crews out a little more often,” he said.

The warehouse had already burned in a fire in July. That fire had already left the building a total loss.

Senkowsky said this added more challenges to firefighters, as the structural integrity of the building was compromised.

“Now you’re dealing with unsafe factors involved with accessing certain areas of the building,” he said.

Crews have been on the scene throughout the day Sunday putting out hotspots. People are asked to avoid the area.

CTV News will update this story. 

View original article here Source