Fire at hotel in downtown Ottawa
Black smoke coming from the 22nd floor of Les Suites Hotel on Besserer Street on Saturday. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)
A fire in mattresses and couches on the top floor of Les Suites Hotel forced the evacuation of the downtown Ottawa hotel on Saturday afternoon.
It was the fifth fire for Ottawa firefighters to battle in 15 hours on the coldest Feb. 4 in 100 years.
Black smoke was seen billowing from the 22nd floor of the hotel on Besserer Street at approximately 4:10 p.m. Saturday.
Ottawa Fire Spokesperson Nicholas DeFazio says firefighters quickly made their way up to the 22nd floor of the hotel where they encountered "heavy smoke conditions".
Firefighters located mattresses and couches on fire in one of the units on the 22nd floor. The fire was declared under control at 4:40 p.m.
DeFazio says hotel staff told firefighters that floors 20, 21 and 22 are currently under construction. No one was located on the 22nd floor of the hotel.
OC Transpo buses provided shelter for the guests forced to evacuate the hotel.
Due to the water runoff, power has been disconnected to floors 16 to 22 while firefighters check all electrical closets.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighters have also responded to fires on Kittiwake Drive in Stittsville, at an Algonquin College student residence, an apartment building on Daly Avenue and a home on Portland Avenue.
This is a developing story. CTV News Ottawa will have the latest as it becomes available
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Singh 'not satisfied' with confidence-and-supply agreement, says he'd do a better job as PM
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he's 'not satisfied' with his party's confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals â signed a year ago this week â because it's shown him he could do a better job running the country than the current government.
Ukraine demands emergency UN meeting over Putin nuclear plan
Ukraine's government on Sunday called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to 'counter the Kremlin's nuclear blackmail' after Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed plans to station tactical atomic weapons in Belarus.
Risk of a hard landing for Canadian economy is up, former Bank of Canada governor says
Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says Canadaâs economy is at a greater risk of a 'hard landing' â a rapid economic slowdown following a period of growth and approaching a recession.
Millennials dominate insolvencies as credit card, student loan, CERB tax debts add up
Insolvency trustee Doug Hoyes says millennial Canadians have been dealt a generational losing hand as they face student loans layered with bad debts from credit cards, high-interest loans, and post-pandemic tax debt from collecting CERB.
Taking breaks at work? New study shows they boost your productivity
A new study from the University of Waterloo suggests that heavy workloads that discourage employees from taking breaks could disrupt general performance, causing high levels of stress and fatigue that stand in the way of productivity.
Montreal police confirm fifth body found in rubble of historic building fire
Montreal police say a fifth body has been extracted from the rubble of a heritage building that caught fire nine days ago, leaving two others still missing.
Death toll from explosion at Pennsylvania candy factory climbs to 4 as hope of finding more survivors wanes
A fourth person has been confirmed dead in an explosion at an eastern Pennsylvania candy factory, officials said Sunday, as rescue crews continue to search for three others amid waning hope of finding more survivors.
Jonathan Majors arrested on assault charge in New York
The actor Jonathan Majors was arrested Saturday in New York on charges of strangulation, assault and harassment, authorities said.
'Horrible, horrible deals': Trump criticizes Biden's visit to Canada
Former U.S. president Donald Trump shared his disdain for Joe Biden's visit to Canada, saying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau treats the U.S. âhorriblyâ on trade issues.
Atlantic
-
Messy mix of snow, ice pellets and rain Sunday into Monday
A low-pressure system moving up the coastline of Maine will cross Nova Scotia Sunday into early Monday morning, bringing a mix of snow, ice pellets and rain.
-
P.E.I. Green Party wasn't ready for election, may lose seats from 2019: experts
As the Prince Edward Island election approaches its final week, the Green Party is fighting to hold onto its historic gains from the last provincial vote -- a battle some experts say could result in lost seats.
-
NDP MP introduces bill to combat online hate speech
Incidents of online hate speech are on the rise and an NDP MP is introducing new legislation to stop it.
Toronto
-
Ontario woman's lost wedding dress found by thrift store volunteer after 'long shot' search
After making a 'long shot' plea to the public this weekend, a woman in southern Ontario has found her lost wedding dress, mistakenly donated by her father earlier this year.
-
Nearly 40 TTC routes changed today. Hereâs what you need to know:
TTC riders may have to wait a bit longer for a bus, streetcar or subway starting Sunday.
-
Thousands of customers remain without power in Ontario following windstorm
More than 10,000 customers remain without power in Ontario today after strong winds hit the southern and eastern parts of the province on Saturday.
Montreal
-
Montreal police confirm fifth body found in rubble of historic building fire
Montreal police say a fifth body has been extracted from the rubble of a heritage building that caught fire nine days ago, leaving two others still missing.
-
Thousands of Hydro-Quebec customers without power Sunday morning
Over 33,000 Hydro-Quebec customers were without power as of 7:20 a.m. Sunday. By 9:30 a.m., the number had lowered to just over 25,000.
-
Quebec should tax gas-guzzlers to reverse SUV trend, says environmental group
Quebecers aren't using their sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to their full capacities, a recent study found, with just 38 per cent of owners utilizing their vehicle's entire cargo space at least once a week, and nearly three-quarters never using their SUV to pull a load.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern resources, the highlight of Ontarioâs budget
Continuing to put the region's critical mineral supply in the spotlight, northern Ontario and its critical mineral deposits are front and centre in the provincial government's 2023 budget.
-
Risk of a hard landing for Canadian economy is up, former Bank of Canada governor says
Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says Canadaâs economy is at a greater risk of a 'hard landing' â a rapid economic slowdown following a period of growth and approaching a recession.
-
Mixed feelings, disappointment around the NHL pride night controversies
Two NHL hockey players with northern Ontario roots find themselves in an unwelcomed spotlight after refusing to don pride-themed jerseys.
London
-
2 dogs rescued, tenants briefly displaced after early morning apartment fire
Residents of a central London, Ont. apartment were temporarily displaced from their units and were kept warm inside a city bus after a fire broke out early Sunday morning.
-
London police warning public of a 'high risk offender'
The London Police Service has issued a public safety warning due to the release of a 'high risk offender.'
-
A sunny Sunday in the Forest City
After Saturdayâs wind storm, London, Ont. residents are in store for a warm and sunny finish to their weekend. Sunday will be mainly sunny with some slight wind gusts, with the high reaching 9 degrees.
Winnipeg
-
Community group needs help clearing Winnipeg streets of litter
With the spring weather thawing out the city, Winnipeggers are noticing something being left behind by the disappearing snow.
-
Kings dump Jets 4-1, tie franchise mark for points
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Viktor Arvidsson had two goals and the Los Angeles Kings matched their longest point streak in franchise history with a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday afternoon.
-
'Go out and have a laugh': Festival of Fools kicks off at The Forks
A beloved circus-themed event has returned to The Forks, offering free children's entertainment for Winnipeggers throughout spring break.
Kitchener
-
Some Ukrainians refugees returning home due to K-W housing crisis: grassroots group
An organization that helps Ukrainian refugees resettle in Waterloo region says some are having so much trouble finding housing in Canada, they're opting to return to the war-torn country.
-
Driver charged after rollover near Rim Park in Waterloo
An 83-year-old woman from Waterloo has been charged with careless driving after she struck a median light post, flipping her car onto its roof.
-
High schoolers send robots into battle at Waterloo competition
Thirty robots went head to head, battling for machine supremacy at the University of Waterloo FIRST Robotics Competition on Saturday.
Calgary
-
âBeef for Bidenâ: Alberta favourite featured on dinner menu for presidential visit to Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and United States President Joe Biden shared dinner together for the first time Friday evening in Ottawa and a world-renowned Alberta favourite was included on the menu.
-
Ukraine demands emergency UN meeting over Putin nuclear plan
Ukraine's government on Sunday called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to 'counter the Kremlin's nuclear blackmail' after Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed plans to station tactical atomic weapons in Belarus.
-
Roughnecks sweep season series against Saskatchewan with 14-6 victory
The Calgary Roughnecks made it a season sweep of Saskatchewan, defeating the Rush 14-6 Saturday night at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon
-
'He is very well decorated': Sask. veteran turns 100, honoured by Legion for lifetime of service
The Saskatchewan Royal Legion celebrated one of its members reaching a major milestone this weekend.
-
Suspicious death under investigation: Saskatoon police
Saskatoon police are investigating a suspicious death.
-
Saskatchewan family doctors say provincial budget short on needed reforms
Saskatchewan family doctors say the province's latest budget fails to make needed reforms that would help keep them here as some look elsewhere for work.
Edmonton
-
Fundraiser to support respite, camp programs offered by Children's Autism Services of Edmonton
For the second year in a row, a local salon is leading an autism fundraising and awareness campaign.
-
Hitmen top Oil Kings 3-2, clinching playoff spot
The Hitmen clinched a playoff spot Saturday, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-2.
-
Can glaciers heal from ice loss? New research says yes
Rising sea levels caused by melting glaciers are a growing concern as global temperatures rise by the decade. But according to new research, ice supply in one part of the South Pole has remained stable for more than 100 years, even as surrounding areas melted.
Vancouver
-
Prince George nurse suspended 2 months after breaching 'interim undertaking' with college
A Prince George nurse has been suspended for two months for a litany of "practice issues" identified by his professional college.
-
'It's not just fentanyl anymore': B.C. sets new record high for overdose calls as concerns grow over 'tranq' drug
BC Emergency Health Services says March 22 set a new record for overdose calls province-wide.
-
SFU team looks to tackle climate change with 'energy-harvesting' technology
A Simon Fraser University professor has created a network of the world's greatest energy harvesting experts in an attempt to help tackle climate change.
Regina
-
Saskatchewan family doctors say provincial budget short on needed reforms
Saskatchewan family doctors say the province's latest budget fails to make needed reforms that would help keep them here as some look elsewhere for work.
-
'We are so devastated': Couple asks for relative's ashes to be returned
Leah Radons and her husband Brian are hoping for the return of a loved one's ashes after they were stolen in Regina during a cross-Canada road trip.
-
'Shelter in place': Police operation closes down section of central Regina
Police in Regina advised the public to avoid a section of the city's central neighbourhoods due to a late night operation.