Neighbours relieved after fire strikes Quickie Mart

Residents of River Avenue were relieved on Tuesday as the Quickie Mart store located on the corner went up in flames. Janina McNaughton, who watched the blaze from her bedroom across the street, described the sight as a "fireball of flames." The bright green building at 292 River Ave. was later boarded up and charred on the exterior. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service arrived at the scene at 8:13 p.m. and had the fire under control within an hour. No injuries were reported.

McNaughton, a 40-year resident of the area, has lived in her current apartment since 2008. She expressed her concerns about the store's changing operations, noting that it had transformed from a family-owned five-and-dime to a 24/7 business with constant and suspicious traffic. She had previously reported suspicious behavior to the police, including heavy overnight traffic and drug use outside the building.

Despite her complaints about noise, problematic patrons, and delivery drivers parking on the boulevard, the owner remained unresponsive.

The owner of the Quickie Mart, Dan Riel, identified himself upon arriving at the scene on Wednesday afternoon. He suggested the fire may have been caused by an electrical issue, stating that "it's an old building." Riel also mentioned that the night window opened on the building served as a security precaution due to the presence of drug users in Fort Rouge Park across the street. He declined to comment further on damages or the cause of the fire.

While some residents expressed relief that the business was boarded up, others lamented its loss. Deanne McConnell, who occasionally picks up litter on River Avenue, called the fire and closure of the store "a shame," emphasizing that the shop was an integral part of the community and relied upon by many. She expressed concern that the fire might be suspicious, given the recent rise in arson cases in the city. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service has not provided a damage estimate.