News from Winnipeg: Driver rescues passengers from burning van

A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.

Lorne Mansky was driving to work on Beaverhill Boulevard in Southdale when he saw an orange flame coming from underneath a van stopped across from him at a four-way stop.

“I honked the horn and tried to make the driver aware,” Mansky said. “He didn’t see me, so he walked down the street.”

Mansky turned and followed the flaming van, trying to get the driver’s attention. He eventually managed to get the driver to stop the van.

“When I told the driver, an older gentleman, that his van was on fire, it was obviously a bit of a shock,” he said. “He was completely unaware of it.”

Mansky believes the van ran over a cardboard box, which became stuck under the vehicle and caught fire. He said a bystander in the area was able to sweep the cardboard box from under the van.

However, the fire started again when the hood of the van was opened.

“At that point we made some suggestions that we needed to get the passengers out of the vehicle,” Mansky said.

Mansky, the driver and the bystander managed to get the back door open. The driver was able to get one passenger out using the wheelchair ramp, but this quickly became impossible due to the fire. Mansky then found the manual pump handle while the driver disconnected the last passenger and helped them to safety. Another passenger, who did not need a wheelchair, was able to get off.

“It’s a little emotional when you’re talking to one of them afterwards and the guy wants to shake your hand and say, ‘Thank you for saving my life,’” Mansky said.

The fire brigade quickly arrived on site and extinguished the fire.

Mansky said he was grateful he could help.

“I have been a member of a service club for over thirty years. We believe in working with our communities and improving our communities,” he said. “What kind of member would I be if I completely ignored someone in such desperate need?”

The Winnipeg Fire Department said there were no injuries and the cause of the fire was under investigation.

The city told CTV News Winnipeg the vehicle was not a Transit Plus van. CTV News attempted to locate the company operating the vehicle.

-With files from CTV’s Gary Robson