Witness describes 'loud pop' then 'fire travelling up the lines'
Two workers were hospitalized—one in critical condition—after an electrical incident at an apartment complex in Winnipeg. The accident occurred just after 9:30 a.m. on October 31 on Kimberly Avenue, where emergency crews responded to reports of an electrical hazard.
One worker, according to a statement from Manitoba Hydro, was severely injured after coming into contact with electrical equipment on the property. That person does not work for Manitoba Hydro. Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) personnel transported one of the injured workers to the hospital in critical condition, while the other worker was in stable condition.
Transformer or something blew up on Kimberly
byu/amPryce inWinnipeg
A witness who captured video footage of the incident and posted it to social media described an intense and chaotic scene, saying, “A few minutes earlier, that hum was much louder, and there was a loud pop. Then the fire was travelling up the lines! Craziness.”
One video shows a flash of light followed by a ladder falling. Additional footage showed a fire across the street at the base of a different power line, which raised concerns about possible electrical faults.
Nearby resident Gerry Desrosiers, who lives at the complex, witnessed some of the aftermath. He told CBC News he saw one worker on the ground, receiving medical attention, while another stood close by. “It’s awful, because you hear about accidents, but when you see someone on the ground so close, it’s kind of sad,” he said, adding that the workers appeared to be young.
Investigation underway
The Province of Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) division confirmed to Canadian Occupational Safety it is investigating the incident. In a brief statement, a provincial spokesperson stated, “Workplace Safety and Health is aware of the incident and investigating. Nothing further to add at this time.”
Desrosiers mentioned that the workers had been at the site for several days, likely conducting maintenance or repair work on the apartment’s air conditioning system. “I knew that they were covering the air conditioners,” he said, though he did not see what caused the accident.
Electrical safety in high-risk work environments
This incident has highlighted the importance of strict safety protocols for workers handling electrical equipment or working near power lines. Loud humming noises, sudden pops, and flashes of light often signal electrical faults, arcing, or surges—warning signs that workers must heed immediately. Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and the use of non-conductive tools and equipment are crucial to prevent injuries in high-risk situations like these.
Province’s focus on preventive measures
Workplace Safety and Health regulations in Manitoba mandate that employers conduct hazard assessments, ensure worker training, and enforce LOTO procedures in high-risk environments. As investigators look into the cause of this incident, Manitoba’s safety community will be following closely for findings that may inform future protocols or lead to new regulatory measures to protect workers from similar risks.
For now, the Winnipeg community and safety advocates await further updates from the province and the results of the ongoing investigation, hoping for a full recovery for both injured workers.
