Arson unit investigating after fire damages four businesses at Kanata strip mall
The Ottawa Police Arson Unit is investigating an early morning fire at a Kanata strip mall that damaged several businesses.
A 9-1-1 caller reported heavy smoke coming from the roof of the mall on Hazeldean Road at Castlefrank Road at approximately 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.
"Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed heavy black smoke and flames coming from the roof in a large one-storey commercial plaza," Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson Nick DeFazio said.
"Firefighters were met with high heat conditions when making entry to the structure and the roof was at risk of collapsing, creating a hazard on scene for fire crews."
Firefighters declared a second alarm to dispatch additional resources to the scene.
The fire spread through the roof and walls of four units, but firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread through all 15 units in the complex.
Eggroll Plus is of the businesses damaged in an early morning fire at a Kanata strip mall on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Peter Szperling/CTV Viewer)
DeFazio says the fire started in a business before spreading.
No one was inside the building at the time of the fire, and there are no reports of injuries.
Ottawa police said Tuesday afternoon that the damage caused by the fire is estimated in the millions of dollars.
The businesses damaged include Fakahany Produce and Eggroll Plus.
Wine Villa owner Michelle Varteniuk said the strip mall's roof has been destroyed.
Wine Villa is of the businesses damaged in an early morning fire at a Kanata strip mall on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Peter Szperling/CTV Viewer)
"Well, I'm not allowed to go back into my store for between 24, 48 hours, just because there's issues with the roof of the whole building," she said. "I have no roof at all in my store.”
She added much of her stock survived the fire.
"Hopefully I'm going to be up and running within a month or so... Nothing of the wines have been broken or anything like that. So, I mean, there's damage. I would say not minimal, but livable."
Police are looking for anyone with dash camera or video surveillance footage of suspicious activity in the area of Castlefrank Road and Hazeldean Road between 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Arson Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 4587 or by email at arson@ottawapolice.ca.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
--with files from CTV News Ottawa's Peter Szperling
Correction
Ottawa Fire Services initially said the fire started in a Chinese food restaurant in the Hazeldean Road strip mall. Officials now say the fire started in the business next to the restaurant and spread.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bloc won't hold Liberals 'hostage' over seniors' benefits: cabinet minister
Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberals will not be 'held hostage' by the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand Old Age Security to more seniors.
Police identify Toronto victim of alleged serial killer
Toronto police have identified the woman who was allegedly killed by a suspected serial killer earlier this month.
Missing father, kids spotted in New Zealand wilderness 3 years after disappearance: police
A New Zealand man who disappeared with his three children in 2021 was spotted on a farm along the country's northwest coast, police say.
No jail time for man who fatally stabbed senior in Vancouver
A man who stabbed a senior to death in Vancouver's Biltmore Hotel building in 2020 has been given a conditional sentence for the killing, meaning he will not serve any jail time if he remains on good behaviour in the community.
Job growth numbers 'good news' in Canada but there are concerns, according to an economist
An economist says the latest job growth numbers in Canada are 'good news,' but he has concerns following Statistic Canada's report.
EXCLUSIVE: 'We were privileged to be friends with our sister': Family mourns murdered N.S. woman
More than a month after the murder of Nova Scotia woman Esther Jones, her family continues to grapple with the loss.
Hot-air balloon strikes and collapses radio tower in Albuquerque during festival
A hot-air balloon struck and collapsed a radio tower Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the city's famous festival -- the second time in 20 years that a balloon has come into contact with the tower.
B.C. billionaire posts third large sign criticizing NDP ahead of the election
British Columbia billionaire Chip Wilson has put up yet another billboard message to voters, his third post outside his multimillion-dollar mansion in NDP Leader David Eby's own riding.
Longueuil woman charged after 10-year-old boy scalded with boiling water
A woman from Montreal's South Shore appeared in court on Friday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly scalding a 10-year-old boy with boiling water more than one week ago.