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
BREAKING Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
John Horgan, who served as British Columbia's premier from 2017 to 2022 has died. He was 65.
What consumers need to know if Canada Post workers strike ahead of a busy holiday season
Canada's postal workers could walk off the job or the company could lock them out as soon as 12:01 a.m. ET Friday if the union and the company don't reach an agreement. Here are tips for shoppers and businesses.
FAA prohibits U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after a Florida Spirit flight was shot by gangs
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday that it will prohibit U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot a Spirit Airlines flight.
BREAKING Feds move to end work stoppages at ports, order binding arbitration
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says he is intervening to end the work stoppages at ports in both British Columbia and Montreal.
Ottawa high school principal apologizes for song played during Remembrance Day assembly
The principal of an Ottawa high school is apologizing to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is conducting a "thorough investigation" to ensure it "is addressed appropriately and meaningfully."
Body found in Montreal park identified as cryptocurrency influencer
The body of a man that was found in a park in the Ahunstic-Cartierville borough last month has been identified as cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
23 arrested after at least 100 shots fired in exchange of gunfire outside Toronto recording studio: police
Police say 23 people are in custody after at least 100 shots were fired in an exchange of gunfire outside a West Queen West recording studio on Monday night.
Black market butter: What's behind the recent string of dairy thefts?
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
Labour minister pushes for 'deal at the table' after Canada Post union issues strike notice
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says the federal government currently has no plans to intervene in negotiations after the union representing Canada Post workers issued a 72-hour strike notice.