A large fire that started at a vacant warehouse and spread across railcars Tuesday is now extinguished. 

Late Tuesday morning, Winnipeggers across the city began seeing smoke on the horizon, but many were unable to determine where it was coming from. 

Round this time, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) received calls about a fire in the first one hundred block of Point Douglas Avenue at a vacant warehouse. The warehouse was scheduled to be inspected in three months, and in 2018 was inspected by fire prevention officers. Jamie Vanderhorst, the assistant WFPS chief says there were previous fires at this site in 2011 and 2014. 

"It was very dangerous," Vanderhorst says.

Vanderhorst,Jamie Vanderhorst speaks to the media on Wednesday. (Screenshot: Winnipeg Police Service/Facebook)

When they arrived at 11:15 a.m., crews found the warehouse was unstable and saw the roof collapsing, making it extremely dangerous to go in to find the hotspots. 

Instead, the fire blazed on as crews worked extensively to protect the neighbouring buildings from blowing embers. A nearby railcar, which was stationary, caught fire from these embers, which then spread down to adjoining railcars.

"When we have a large open structure complex like this, crews were met with heavy smoke and heavy fire."

What caused the fire is still under investigation.

Two firefighters were injured, with one being treated and released at the scene, and another is in stable condition at the hospital. 

Police say roughly 10 homes were evacuated and traffic on Higgins Avenue was rerouted, with the Louise Bridge partially closing. As police diverted traffic, a witness approached an officer, giving the description of a suspect, and where they were heading to.

Officers then located the 21-year-old suspect in Elmwood.

She is being charged with two counts of Mischief Under $5,000 and Arson Causing Damage to Property.

The first charge is related to damage elsewhere, including a vehicle, and the arson charge for the large fire. The person was known to police, aiding them in located her.

The closed routes did not reopen until  6 a.m. Wednesday after the fire was extinguished.