Some residents of flooded apartment building allowed to return home

Some residents of a flooded apartment building are being allowed back in after water was sent gushing from the 12th floor of it Monday, causing residents to be evacuated.

An update on WRE Development’s, the company that manages the building, website, says as of Wednesday tenants on the 14^th floor and up are able to return.

According to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, crews were called close to noon to 170 Hargrave St., finding that a standpipe system on the 12^th floor was turned on despite no fire being present at the building.

Police investigating incident

The WFPS says the opening up of the system was not related to firefighting activity and that Winnipeg Police are now investigating it. The WPS did confirm to CityNews that their major crimes unit is investigating it.

“That act caused a lot of individuals to be displaced from their homes and we have to be empathetic to that. This was a very disruptive act that created a lot of damage,” said Deputy Chief Jason Shaw with the WFPS.

Sahil Upadhayay lives on the seventh floor of the building and is not one of the people who get to return to their unit.

“I have been sleeping on my friend’s couch thanks to him and tonight I don’t know where I’m going to go,” Upadhayay said.

“I’d appreciate if the building could have arranged at least accommodations or a discounted rate at an Airbnb or a hotel. That would have been appreciated. Not everyone can afford insurance.”

Alex Kerr is another resident who uses a wheelchair and can’t access building.

“I have no way to get a change of clothes or anything else. I had to have the fire service carry me and then bring my wheelchair down. I could be sitting in the lobby all night if the city doesn’t do anything,” explained Kerr.

For other residents, while they may be able to go back to their units, they are still out of pocket for paying for temporary living accommodations.

“I spent $700 so far and I told the property manager, ‘Hey its going to come out of your pocket buddy.’ He just said, ‘not a chance Richard,’” explained Richard Marcou, a 20-year resident of the building.

The City of Winnipeg says they are working with residents to connect them with necessary social services.

CityNews contacted WRE Development but did not hear back in time for broadcast.