Above video courtesy Chris Drover and our sister website CHVNRadio.com

 

A major fire in downtown Brandon has destroyed or signficantly damaged several buildings in the city’s core.

 

Eyewintess accounts and media reports indicate the blaze began just before noon Saturday in an office supply store and warehouse located on Pacific Avenue and 6th Street. The embers from that fire were carried by northerly winds southward, and ignited another blaze in the Massey Building across the street. There is word four additional buildings have also caught fire south and east of the original blaze.

 

Brandon firefighters, as well as crews from Souris, Wawanesa and Shilo are working to control the fire. As of 5 p.m., Manitoba Hydro reported about 1,000 customers in the Wheat City’s downtown are without power. The social media post on the Crown Corporation's Twitter account indicates there is no estimate on when power will be restored, because crews will only be able to enter the area once it’s deemed safe.