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![\"RUTH](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4529107_web1_IMG_4122.jpg\")
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RUTH BONNEVILLE \/ FREE PRESS<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s that big of a deal and it looks worse than it actually is. It\u2019s not that bad,\u201d said Dan Riel, who identified himself as the building\u2019s owner.<\/p>\n
Crews from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded at 8:13 p.m. Tuesday to battle the blaze, said the city in a news release. It was under control within the hour.<\/p>\n
McNaughton, who is the manager at a nearby apartment building, has lived in the area for 40 years, including at her current place since 2008,<\/p>\n
She said in the last several years, the store changed from a family-owned five-and-dime, to a 24\/7 business where the traffic was constant and \u201cvery suspicious.\u201d<\/p>\n
McNaughton said she and others tried to raise their concerns with the owner of the business, but he wasn\u2019t receptive. They had complained about noise, problematic patrons, and when delivery drivers parked on the boulevard.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t feel comfortable going to that store,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She reported suspicious behaviour at the store to police, including heavy overnight traffic and drug use outside the building, but it continued.<\/p>\n
She said she wants the building demolished so something else will take its place.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am happy. A lot of the residents are happy,\u201d she said, adding one told her: \u201cWe\u2019ve got our neighbourhood back.\u201d<\/p>\n
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is being investigated.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday afternoon, Dan Riel, who identified himself as the building\u2019s owner, was on site speaking to a person securing the store. He said he suspects the cause was an electrical issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an old building,\u201d Riel said. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s that big of a deal and it looks worse than it actually is. It\u2019s not that bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said it\u2019s too early to comment on damages or the cause of the fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the wrong time to talk,\u201d he said. \u201cWe just got here.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the building operates a night window as a security precaution because Fort Rouge Park, which is across the street, has drug users who might break in to the store.<\/p>\n
\u201cNight time is super slow,\u201d Riel said. \u201cWe just keep a night window open, but mainly it\u2019s just for security. If you don\u2019t do it, people will break into the building. I\u2019d rather not be open at night \u2014 I hate it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riel didn\u2019t answer followup phone calls and text messages about alleged problems at the site.<\/p>\n
While some residents are pleased the business is boarded, others lamented its loss.<\/p>\n
Deanne McConnell, who sometimes picks up litter on River Avenue, including outside the shop in exchange for the occasional discount or extra item, called the fire and closure of the store \u201ca shame.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s part of the community,\u201d she said. \u201cLots of people rely on it for a lot amenities,\u201d McConnell said.<\/p>\n
She said she saw photos of the fire, which showed the middle of the shop engulfed in flames.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt looks like it spread from the bottom to the top,\u201d she said, saying she too relied on the shop.<\/p>\n
She said she worries the fire may be suspicious in nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t surprise me,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of arson around the city lately.\u201d<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service did not provide a damage estimate.<\/p>\n
morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n
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