Man and woman arrested after flooding at Winnipeg police headquarters

A man and a woman are facing mischief charges connected to flooding at the Winnipeg police headquarters Saturday that forced the building to be closed for public access.

Water started dripping in the tower portion of the downtown office complex on Graham Avenue Saturday evening. 

In a Sunday news release, Winnipeg police said the flooding happened after two people opened several emergency water supply valves in the upper stairwells of the tower building.

Within minutes, significant water pressure built up in the pipes and forced water into the stairwells of the tower, flooding some areas of the headquarters, police said.

CBC News first received word of flooding at the police headquarters at 7:30 p.m. Water was seen pouring from the ceiling of the main foyer and pooling around shards of broken light fixtures near the elevators at around 8:30 p.m.

Winnipeg police headquarters floods Saturday night

Firefighters arrived at the building and secured the compromised valves, according to the release.

Police said the water caused “extensive” damage, impacting some working spaces in the building. Much of the office tower, acquired by the city in 2009, is vacant.

Two suspects were identified in connection with the flooding, police said. Officers searched the areas surrounding the building and found them just after 11 p.m. in the 200 block of Graham Avenue. 

A 51-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman have been charged with six counts of mischief over $5,000. Both were released on an undertaking.

Police said uniform operation will not be affected by the disruptions from the flooding, but the station duty office at 245 Smith St. will remain closed on Sunday for in-person reporting.