Two fires early Monday morning have added to the already-too-high number of vacant house blazes seen this year in Winnipeg.

At 2:37 a.m. and 4:31 a.m. on April 22, fires broke out on the 700 block of Stella Avenue and the 800 block of Burrows Avenue, respectively. Both fires were contained and remain under investigation. No injuries from either fire were reported, according to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS).

A total of five fires set in vacant homes were recorded prior to April 9, 2019, but the past few weekends have increased that number to nine says Mark Reshaur, assistant chief for the WFPS.

"It's concerning, all vacant building fires are very concerning," said Reshaur. "One is too many."

Vacant building fires, explained the WFPS assistant chief, are quite dangerous and often a result of individuals who have broken into the building. As these houses are typically boarded up, the only exit point for intruders remains the place where they first entered.

"Should they be messing around with fire on the inside... they only have one way out," said Reshaur, a point of exit easily cut off by flames or smoke.

Often "poorly supervised children" have been the cause of such vacant house fires, but Reshaur says that no definitive knowledge of the causes behind the recent fires set in vacant homes is currently known.

"We're very concerned about this trend and we're very concerned that tragedy will result."

As vacant buildings are regulated by City of Winnipeg bylaw enforcement, vacant properties are required to be kept clean of trash and buildings are required to be secured. If you notice a building that has not been secured, Reshaur says to call or email 311, alerting them of the incident and noting what portion of the building was insecure.

"If you see someone entering a vacant building, call the police, call 911, let them know because that is a break and enter," Reshaur explained. "People are illegally breaking into these properties, entering them, and causing significant damage to these properties."

Such damage can make it far more difficult to rehabilitate the property and return it to the usable housing stock.

Most importantly, ensuring safety for children by taking time to speak to children who may be playing around dangerous areas such as vacant houses, Reshaur says, is a crucial way to reduce damages.

"Making sure the kids are safe is the number one concern."