Winnipeg firefighters and other emergency personnel were at the scene of a downtown restaurant fire early Thursday.
The blaze, which Winnipeg police say started around 5:30 a.m., took place at Boujee Restaurant and Bar at Main Street and York Avenue, known by many Winnipeggers as the site of the former Earls restaurant.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service says fire crews were able to get the fire under control within about an hour, and that no injuries were reported.
Winnipeg firefighters at a downtown blaze early Thursday morning.
Global News
The aftermath of a fire at Boujee Restaurant and Bar on Main Street in Winnipeg.
Vasilios Bellos / Global News
Winnipeg police at the scene of a fire at Boujee Restaurant and Bar Thursday.
Vasilios Bellos / Global News
Owner Kanish Sood told 680 CJOB he’s ‘devastated and in shock’ by the fire.
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Although police say the cause of the fire remains under investigation and there are no details available about the cause, Thursday’s blaze is the latest in a string of fires at downtown restaurants.
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Police previously confirmed they’re investigating three other fires as suspected arson cases — Commonwealth Kitchen & Bar on July 10, Johnny G’s on Aug. 20, and the Exchange Event Centre on Aug. 29.
Regardless of the cause, the local firefighters union says crews are already spread thin, and the increasing number of fires in the city is a serious problem.
United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Nick Kasper told 680 CJOB that the city already holds the dubious honour of ‘arson capital of Canada’, based on stats from 2019 to 2023.
“Structure fires have increased by 87 per cent in the city of Winnipeg. Vacant structure fires have increased by 245 per cent,” he said.
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“We know that in the city of Winnipeg we have the greatest loss of life and loss of structural value per capita in Canada.”
Kasper said there’s only one fire investigator per shift and it’s simply not enough, given the city’s growing numbers of suspicious fires.
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Shaun Jeffrey, executive director of Manitoba Restaurant and Food Services Association, told 680 CJOB’s Connecting Winnipeg the news of yet another restaurant fire is frustrating and concerning.
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I take these things personally. I was there when it was Earls — I was actually one of the first hires when they opened it up as an Earls restaurant,” Jeffrey said.
“I see restaurants like this, and that poor restaurateur who’s invested a lot of time and effort in really bringing that restaurant up to a high level.”
Jeffrey said all 2,300 restaurants across the province take it personally when they see a fellow restaurateur’s hard work go up in flames.
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Winnipeg firefighters extinguish Bannatyne Avenue blaze early Friday
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