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Big smoke draws onlookers to fire at former Winnipeg stadium

April 3, 2013, Winnipeg – A tower of black smoke filled the sky when huge licks of flame destroyed a shed holding artificial turf near the former home of the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Firefighters had to use an aerial ladder to fight the blaze that broke out Tuesday evening at the southeast corner of Canad Inns Stadium in the city's west end.

The turf helped feed the flames and firefighters had to keep their distance after a source told them there were two tanks with hundreds of litres of gasoline behind the building.

Police closed off surrounding streets and kept a large crowd of onlookers away because of the possible threat of an explosion, but there were no reports of injuries.

Investigators suspect the fire was intentionally set and believe it could be linked to recent reports of mischief at the site.

Canada Inns Stadium is slated for demolition, as the Bombers will be playing this year in their new home at the University of Manitoba.