Fire damages 13 unit residential building in Ottawa's east end
Investigators are searching for the cause of a fire that severely damaged a 13-unit residential building in Ottawa’s east end.
Firefighters responded to 911 calls at approximately 8:40 p.m. Thursday reporting a fire in a four-storey building on Ogilvie Road, between Palmerston Drive and Cadboro Road. One person told CTV News Ottawa they heard an explosion.
Ottawa’s 911 emergency response centre received more than 60 calls about the fire shortly after it started.
When firefighters arrived on scene, the building was fully involved in smoke and flames.
Firefighters were seen going through the building searching for occupants. Ottawa Fire photographer Scott Stilborn said at 9:19 p.m. that all firefighters had been ordered out of the building due to "collapse concerns."
The fire was declared under control at 10:20 p.m.
No one was injured in the fire, and several pets were rescued from the building, including a dog that was returned to its owner.
Ottawa Fire told CTV News Ottawa on Friday that eight of the 13 units were severely damaged by fire. The other five units in the building suffered smoke and water damage.
“Something I would not want to see again,” neighbor Susan Labelle said. “I didn’t sleep all night, and I still haven’t slept.”
The initial investigation shows the fire started on an exterior wall and extended into the attic of the building. Officials say the fire is not considered suspicious.
Pictures from the scene showed the fire spread through several floors of the building, with flames coming out of the roof.
"Amazing work for extremely skilled firefighters," said Kim Ayotte, Ottawa's general manager of emergency and protective services. "Very thankful that there are no reported serious injuries at this time."
“Everyone, thank God, was able to get out of their homes,” Labelle said.
Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney said the city of Ottawa and partner agencies were on the scene to assist residents displaced by the fire.
FUNDRAISER FOR RESIDENTS
The building was operated by Better Living Residential Co-Op
“All of the people are safe and unaccounted for – and, we’re working on getting them placed at this time,” property manager Yvonne Ashby said.
“We’re working on finding them places to stay for the next while, while we get our building sorted out.”
Coun. Tim Tierney says he will be hosting a fundraiser and collection of goods in conjunction with Better Living Residential Co-Op to help the residents displaced by the fire.
The event will be held on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1350 Ogilvie Road, with coffee, donuts and hot chocolate.
Residents are invited to drop by and contribute to the fundraiser.
Tierney says items needed include:
- Grocery cards
- Cash donations
- Restaurants gift cards
- Cheques may be made out to 'Better Living Residential Co-Op’
- Batteries, phone chargers, USB or lightning chargers
- Toiletries
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Peter Szperling
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.