Major fire in downtown Brandon destroys Christie’s Building

BRANDON, MAN. (CKLQ) — Firefighters continue to battle a major blaze in downtown Brandon Saturday afternoon.

It started just before 12 p.m. at Christie’s Office Plus on 6th Street and Pacific Avenue.

Dry, steady south winds caused the inferno to quickly spread.

Embers flew high in the sky and were propelled southward across Pacific Avenue landing on top of the Massey Building.

As of 2:30 p.m., flames were shooting from the rooftop of the Massey Building.

Plumes of smoke can be seen city-wide and intense heat from the flames can be felt from blocks away.

Hundreds of onlookers congregated near the epicenter of the fire until police dispersed the many crowds.

By 2:45 p.m., officers proceeded to block off an area from 3rd to 13th Streets between Lorne and Pacific Avenues.

Unconfirmed reports say as many as four extra pumper trucks have been called in from Shilo, along with trucks from the fire college and the Souris detachment.

Power outages have been reported in most of the downtown area, and traffic lights as far as the intersection of 1st Street and Victoria Avenue are out as well.

Unconfirmed reports also say tenants from the Massey Building have been evacuated to New Era School.

Police remind the general public to avoid the area as fire and emergency crews continue to battle the blaze.

Frank McGwire, Q Country 91.5 FM