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![\"MIKE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4366155_web1_260114-Manwin-Fire-0460.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMIKE DEAL \/ FREE PRESS FILES
\nWinnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews continue to douse the fire at the Manwin Hotel at 655 Main Street while demolition crews start pulling down the structure back January 2026.<\/p>\n
The company accused the city of breaching its duty to it and wrongfully evicting the tenants, who had been ordered out owing to numerous safety concerns last year.<\/p>\n
City lawyers want a judge to throw out the claim and grant it court costs, arguing Kambamba\u2019s lawsuit is an abuse of process and has no legal merit.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s notice of motion, which is set to be heard in October, says Kambamba\u2019s claim is vague and fails to set out facts that would give him a basis to sue the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe claim in its entirety is scandalous, frivolous and vexatious,\u201d reads the city\u2019s filing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no nexus or connection between the alleged actions of the city and the claimed damages.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city owed Kambamba no duty based on what he claims in his lawsuit, or has no liability, or both, the city argues.<\/p>\n
Kambamba\u2019s company claims that one day before the fire, the city advised Kambamba the building had been breached.<\/p>\n
He was told to arrange to have the building boarded up again.<\/p>\n
Vacant property owners are responsible for securing their buildings under a city bylaw.<\/p>\n
Kambamba claims he asked police to sweep the building first, but they refused. He conducted a \u201cmake believe boarding\u201d of the Manwin.<\/p>\n
Kambamba\u2019s company claims the city\u2019s decision to allow Main Street Project to provide services to homeless people at its adjacent property interfered with his business.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The suit argues the city breached a duty of care to the company by allowing the shelter to provide services that Kambamba claims hurt his operation.<\/p>\n Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service officials ordered the charred remains of the Manwin to be demolished while crews were still working to extinguish the blaze.<\/p>\n Kambamba also claims, without including evidence in the court filing, the city \u201cimproperly\u201d shut down the hotel and evicted the tenants.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t The hotel had been vacant since the city ordered residents \u2014 who occupied cheap, single rooms \u2014 to leave in January 2025 over numerous and severe safety hazards.<\/p>\n City officials were in the early stages of trying to expropriate the property when the fire erupted.<\/p>\n The owner had failed to address multiple outstanding permit requirements and compliance orders.<\/p>\n The fire remains under investigation.<\/p>\n erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Erik Pindera Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020.\u00a0 Read more about Erik<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMIKAELA MACKENZIE \/ FREE PRESS FILES
\nThe Manwin hotel had been vacant since the city ordered residents \u2014 who occupied cheap, single rooms \u2014 to leave in January 2025 over numerous and severe safety hazards.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter
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