Fire overnight Saturday on Atlantic Avenue has WFPS crews working through morning to extinguish the blaze

Saturday morning at 2:49 a.m., the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire at a three-storey commercial and residential mixed-use building on Atlantic Avenue near Charles Street.

Crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building when they arrived and launched an offensive fire attack inside, but conditions worsened and firefighters moved outside to fight the fire.

Firefighters removed two occupants during a search of the building. Other residents evacuated before crews arrived on scene and a neighbouring building was evacuated as a precaution. Winnipeg Transit provided a bus for shelter for evacuated residents.

Manitoba Hydro was also on scene to turn off gas and power to some buildings as a precaution, resulting in some residents in the are were without power Saturday morning.

The City of Winnipeg’s emergency social services team was called to help residents find temporary accommodations.

Two people were taken to hospital in critical condition. One person was transported in unstable condition.

Crews are expected to be on scene through the morning. Southbound Main Street between Inkster Boulevard and Cathedral Avenue, and Atlantic Avenue between Main Street and Charles Street are closed. Residents are asked to be cautious in the area.

The fire caused significant structure damage. It remains under investigation.