Winnipeg Fire Paramedics services (WFPS) responded to a fire on the fifth floor of Tier at 9 p.m. on March 21. The fire was extinguished by 9:17 p.m.     

Arts students were notified by email from the faculty of arts that, at the provost’s recommendation, classes held in the Tier building would be cancelled as of 9:49 a.m. on March 22. The email stated that it is unclear “when the building will reopen.”  

WFPS was not available for an interview, but public information officer Terryn Shiells provided a statement to the Manitoban, which said crews from WFPS “found light smoke and a small fire” and were able to clear the scene at around 10 p.m. 

According to a statement from the university, the fire was found in a bathroom garbage bin, and was successfully extinguished with “limited” damage to the area. The building is closed for air quality evaluations.  

The cause of the fire is unknown, according to the statement.  

Acting dean of the faculty of arts Robert Hoppa told the Manitoban in an email that the faculty will “determine strategies to address instructional needs” as they learn more throughout the day.  

The notice delivered the morning of March 22 advised students to check communications from instructors and the provost’s office for updates, including whether classes will be affected come Monday, March 25 and the rest of the week.