Winnipeg residents affected by Sutherland fire decry emergency response amid confusion, panic

Days after being evacuated as toxic smoke spewed from a Sutherland Avenue fire, Point Douglas residents say the city's emergency plan fell short of helping a community in need.

Bernadette Folster woke up to the sound of sirens Tuesday morning. Ash landed in her yard and toxic smoke choked the air as a Sutherland Avenue industrial complex went up in flames.

Days after being evacuated, Folster is still alarmed by the city’s emergency plan she says fell short of helping a community scrambling for answers.

“Everybody was in like a traumatic state, and they needed more assistance than was provided. I saw people on social media asking for somebody to drop them off clean water,” she said.

Like Folster, people within about three blocks were forced from their homes. Others were told to shelter in place while more than 500 buildings lost power during the fire.

After that, Folster said it was hard to get information.

“It was like (a) very trapping situation for a lot of these families, and then when you have no power and no proper water, it becomes even more intense at that point.”

Folster called city resources and organizations, asking for help and whether it was safe to go home, but they didn’t have answers, she said.

Neil van Engel, who lives in an apartment complex down the street from the Sutherland Avenue rubble, was also struck by what he called a lack of communication and support.