Suspicious fire in the Point Douglas neighbourhood leaves businesses fuming
Posted April 22, 2025 5:52 pm.
Last Updated April 22, 2025 7:36 pm.
A suspicious Sunday morning fire on Logan Avenue has left two local businesses fuming, as surveillance footage appears to show someone deliberately setting the blaze.
Surveillance video obtained by CityNews shows what appears to be a man dragging a discarded mattress and other items to the side of the building. The video shows the suspect spraying it with liquid before setting it on fire and fleeing on his bike. Moments later, flames could be seen throughout the building.
“It’s very hard to not take it personally that someone deliberately set our building on fire,” said Crystal Irvine, with Revive and Thrive Thrift Wholesale.
Winnipeg fire crews were called around 3:30 a.m., and the fire was under control within the hour. While no one was injured, they say the fire destroyed all of the donation items outside. Irvine says their team has been left with a tough decision.
“Being a nonprofit, we try to keep our costs low, so I will have to talk to my staff whether to cut our losses and refill the store or give to our customers at a low price to wash themselves,” Irvine explained.
Meanwhile, Shelly’s Indigenous Bistro owner, Vincent Bignell, had planned to use an office space inside to launch a new catering expansion. Now he says they’ve been forced to shut down for the day.
“I had some team members that were going to be there, it is also the office for the admin, I was going to take all my catering to branch out everywhere for that location,” said Bignell.
This incident comes on the heels of two other blazes reported just hours before the Logan Avenue fire, nearby on Blake Street and Alfred Avenue
“There have been a lot of fires here lately, especially in the last couple of years. It’s probably because our area isn’t paved, there isn’t enough room for patrols,” said Bignell.
Irvine adds that “Being in an industrial area, there isn’t a lot of traffic or foot traffic there, so it would be nice to see more of a police presence.”
Winnipeg Police confirmed they are investigating.
