Winnipeg has seen nearly 70 vacant building fire despite stiffer penalties
Posted July 24, 2023 5:28 pm.
Last Updated July 25, 2023 9:15 am.
Despite stiffer penalties, such as charging vacant building owners for firefighting costs, Winnipeg continues to see homes demolished to the ground after being destroyed by fire.
“I said to the police, awesome, it’s about time. It should have been torn down the first time after it got burnt,” said Alaina Eveleigh.
Eveleigh lives right across the street from one of Winnipeg’s latest vacant home to go up in flames.
“It was a drug house, there was so much activity. It didn’t matter what time of day, people in this neighbourhood were even fearing to sit out on their steps.”
Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service responded to the house fire on Furby street Saturday night.
WFPS says while heavy smoke and flames were reported, no occupants were found in the home.
The home was demolished due to its structural integrity becoming compromised.
“There’s so many places that have gone up in smoke, including what’s in the north end.”
Just last month the same home on Furby caught on fire, leaving two people injured and one person dead.
The city has reported 69 vacant building fires so far this year.
