Building in downtown Winnipeg expected to be a complete loss after Friday night fire

Traffic on one of downtown Winnipeg's busiest streets was blocked off Friday night as firefighters battled a blaze in a building that housed a grocery store.

According to an emailed release from the city, crews were called a the fire in a three-storey, mixed-use building in the 500 block of Main Street at 7:43 p.m.

Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building, which bore a sign on the ground floor that read, "Full House Grocery."

The release said crews tried at first to fight the fire from inside, but had to retreat due to dangerous conditions.

As of 9:45 p.m, the city said crews were fighting the fire from outside the building, using aerial ladder trucks and hoses.

According to the release, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service's drone was used to capture aerial and thermal imaging to help direct water and locate hotspots.

As crews responded to the fire, Winnipeg police blocked traffic in both directions on Main Street between Logan Avenue and the Disraeli Freeway.

It's expected firefighters will remain at the scene through the night and into the morning, the city said in its release.

Although no injuries have been reported, the city said the building is expected to be a complete loss.

The fire is under investigation.