Risk of fire spreading in 'horrific and tragic' Brandon blaze likely passed, say authorities

https://www.msn.com/ ^ | 5/20/18 | Riley Laychuk, Leif Larsen

[BBell]

Authorities in Brandon say the danger that multiple fires burning in the city's downtown will spread to other buildings has likely passed.

At least four buildings in Brandon's downtown caught fire Saturday in what the city's mayor said will "likely be one of the largest fires Brandon has ever seen."

Around noon, crews began fighting flames billowing out of the Christie's Office Plus building at Seventh and Pacific Avenue in the southwestern Manitoba city.

The fire later spread to two additional buildings in the 500 block of Pacific Avenue: Massey Manor, an apartment building across the street from the Christie's building, and a neighbouring strip mall.

Despite best efforts by firefighters to protect nearby buildings by spraying them down with water, the flames later spread again to a beer vendor and vacant night club at the corner of 5th Street and Rosser Avenue.

The city says embers from the first fire likely drifted, lighting the three additional fires.

News of the fourth fire came just minutes after a city spokesperson told CBC News crews were only fighting spot fires at the scene shortly before 7 p.m.

Brian Kayes, the city's director of risk and emergency management, told the Canadian Press later in the evening that the danger had largely passed, and firefighters were mostly mopping up.

The city says the Christies building was completely destroyed, while the other buildings recieved "substantial damage."

As of late Saturday night, fire crews remained at the scene putting out flare-ups at the strip mall, according to the city.

Several dozen Manitoba Hydro customers in the immediate vicinity of the fires remained without power late Saturday with Hydro indicating the power would remain off until their crews could safely access the area.

The cause of the initial fire is not yet known.

'Horrific and tragic'

[BBell]

I saw this yesterday and at one point it looked as though the whole down town area could go up. I'm glad they have it under control and no one was hurt.

I have been to Northern North Dakota but never Brandon. Sounds like a nice place and if the folks are similar to the folks in North Dakota I bet it is.

[DawnPatrolGuy]

Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Been there. My next door neighbor grew up there and his relatives still live there. Yes, a nice town and good people.

[Hatteras]

"...the flames later spread again to a beer vendor..."