Flames engulf the top floor of The Arc, a 15-storey apartment building under construction on Pembina Highway at Bison Drive. (CHRISD.CA)
The two-alarm fire was called in at around 12:30 a.m. (SUBMITTED)
WINNIPEG — A high-rise apartment building under construction on Pembina Highway erupted into flames early Saturday.
Firefighters were called The Arc at 2525 Pembina Highway at around 12:30 a.m. to find heavy flames and smoke coming from the 15-storey structure.
Crews used aerial ladders and deployed the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service drone to monitor the scene from alternative angles. Crews also extinguished smaller fires around the building that ignited as a result of falling debris.
Flames engulf the top floor of The Arc, a 15-storey apartment building under construction on Pembina Highway at Bison Drive. (CHRISD.CA)
Two nearby residential buildings were evacuated as a precaution, but all residents have since returned to their homes. No injuries were reported.
As of 8 a.m., Pembina Highway is closed in both directions from Bison Drive to Dalhousie Drive. The city says drivers in the area should exercise caution as the water used to fight the fire covered the road and has now frozen.
(CITY OF WINNIPEG / HANDOUT)
The Arc is billed as the first luxury student housing community in Winnipeg with 570 beds and 8,000 square feet of resident amenity space. According to the apartment’s website, it was scheduled to open in September 2020.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Firefighters currently on scene at a major high-rise fire at Pembina & Chancellor Matheson rd. pic.twitter.com/Rpg71YDLrJ
— UFFW L867 (@UFFW867) December 21, 2019
Picture from South side of ongoing 2nd alarm fire in Pembina. pic.twitter.com/Y7qGiPCRm6
— UFFW L867 (@UFFW867) December 21, 2019
TRAFFIC ALERT: BISON/PEMBINA/CHANCELLOR CLOSED
All directions is closed due to a Fire. Avoid area.
NO TRAFFIC THROUGH INTERSECTION ANY DIRECTION. Chancellor West to Pembina North open only. See Transit site for possible transit delays/reroutes, #winnipeg #traffic #wpgtmc pic.twitter.com/GLkD0DTumU— Winnipeg TMC (@WinnipegTMC) December 21, 2019
— Tom Quark (@tommyq19) December 21, 2019
