Firefighters are still working to extinguish a fire in downtown Winnipeg.

Emergency personnel were called to the scene just after 2:30 Sunday morning.

When crews arrived they found the roof of 138 Portage Avenue East engulfed in flames. The fire also went into the elevator shaft of the building, spreading the fire into the basement.

Crews attempted to enter the building to launch an offensive attack but were forced to retreat as the building’s water suppression systems were not operational.

Crews launched a defensive attack using aerial ladders and water streams. Both the WFPS drone and the Winnipeg Police Service’s Air One were used to provide the Incident Commander with situational awareness, directing crews to the exact locations of flames. 

Crews continue to work to extinguish the fire and expect to be on the scene for an extended period of time. As of Sunday morning, roads in the area remain closed to traffic. Residents are asked to avoid the area. 

The building is a municipally designated historic building known as the Keewayden Building or Crowley Building, built in 1909.