Fire damages Winnipeg’s Dufresne furniture store on Nairn Avenue

Winnipeg firefighters battled a blaze at a Dufresne furniture store early Wednesday morning.

Crews were called to the store on Nairn Avenue in the Elmwood neighbourhood at 2:25 a.m.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames coming from the building. They used aerial ladders to spray water on the fire as it was deemed unsafe to enter the building.

The fire was declared under control at 8:50 a.m.

No injuries were reported.

There appeared to be damage to one of the buildings on the property, while the main show room appeared to sustain minimal damage — as seen from outside.

Crews were expected to remain on the scene throughout the morning.

“Water used by firefighters to put the fire out has frozen on the road and sidewalk,” the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) said in a statement. “Crews from Public Works are on scene to assess the roadway, remove snow and ice, and apply sand as needed.”

Nairn Avenue was closed in both directions from Chester Street to Kent Street. Drivers were asked to avoid the area.

In a statement, Dufresne Furniture assured customers that previous purchases remain secure and that their distribution centre is fully operational.

The Nairn location is temporarily closed.

Dufresne said it is actively assessing the situation and will provide further updates on social media as new information becomes available.

The WFPS did not specify the cause of the fire or indicate whether or not they are further investigating the blaze.

–With files from Koby Mitchell