Man Arrested for Arson After Fires at Home and Housing Office

UPDATE: A 49-year-old man has been arrested and faces multiple arson charges after he set fire to his home and a downtown office lobby in Winnipeg on Friday. The suspect turned himself in to police shortly after the incidents, which occurred in quick succession, raising alarms among local residents and officials.

At approximately 2:40 p.m., the man poured a container of gasoline inside his bungalow located on Pritchard Avenue—between Austin Street North and Charles Street—and ignited the flames, leading to a powerful explosion that blew him out of the house. The blast caused significant damage, prompting neighbors to evacuate and alert emergency services.

Winnipeg fire crews quickly responded to the scene and worked to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent properties. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the man was unharmed in the explosion. After the incident, he left to purchase more gasoline from a nearby convenience store, escalating the situation further.

Around 4:15 p.m., the man entered the Manitoba Housing office on Donald Street, located between Portage Avenue and Notre Dame Avenue. Once inside, he again poured gasoline and ignited it, forcing employees to evacuate the building. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in this incident either.

Approximately 20 minutes later, the man walked to the Winnipeg police’s downtown headquarters and surrendered to authorities. Police confirmed the fire at his North End residence resulted in a total loss, while the office lobby sustained significant damage.

The man has been charged with two counts of arson with disregard for human life and two counts of arson causing damage to property. Current reports indicate he is not a suspect in any other arson cases in the city. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not provided details on the motive behind the incidents.

This alarming series of events has left the community shaken, with many residents expressing concern over safety in the area. Winnipeg police are urging anyone with additional information to come forward as they continue their investigation.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.