Heritage building in Kemptville damaged by fire

A 138-year-old heritage building in Kemptville, Ont. was damaged by fire. Feb. 25, 2023. (Nate Vandermeer/CTV News Ottawa)

A heritage building in Kemptville, Ont. suffered damage to its top floor after a fire Saturday.

Smoke could be seen rising from the third floor of the 138-year-old building on Prescott Street that contains a Mr. Mozzarella restaurant on the ground floor and apartments above it early in the afternoon.

There is no word of any injuries at this time. 

Fire chief John Okum told CTV News Ottawa the fire was heavy in the upper floor and had extended into the attic. The building was evacuated and everyone got out safely. 

"Fire conditions were heavy in the attic, and very difficult to extinguish. Firefighters needed to pull ceilings and walls down where fire was travelling," Okum said in an email.

The fire was considered knocked down by 3:15 p.m., he said, but crews remained on scene extinguishing hot spots. The fire was contained to the building and didn't spread.

"Victim Services have been contacted and are attending the scene to offer assistance to displaced persons," Okum wrote.

Okum said in an update Sunday that everyone who lived in the apartments above the restaurant was able to find other living arrangements. 

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and an investigation is set to begin Monday.

"The building sustained fire damage to the third floor apartments and the roof," Okum said Sunday morning. "Fire did not extend to the second floor apartments or the ground floor business; however, there is smoke and water damage throughout."

Roads were closed in the area but reopened just before 6:30 p.m.

--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Josh Pringle.