Former Nygard building goes up in flames; Winnipeggers asked to avoid area

A building in Winnipeg’s West End has gone up in flames, and people are being asked to avoid the area.

A building in Winnipeg’s West End has gone up in flames, and people are being asked to avoid the area.

Just before 6 a.m. on Tuesday, crews with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to a fire alarm in the 1300 block of Notre Dame Avenue at the former Nygard building.

Once on scene, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. Crews are attacking the fire from outside the structure, as it is unsafe to go into the building.

According to a tweet from the City of Winnipeg Transportation Management Centre (TMC), Notre Dame Avenue is closed in both directions from Weston Street to Flint Street. The TMC also notes there are significant delays for westbound traffic from McPhillips Street west. Drivers are urged to use alternate routes.

Images from the scene show a number of emergency crews responding to the fire.

The City of Winnipeg said it expects this to be a prolonged event and asks people to avoid the area.

This is a developing story. More details to come.