A house fire in the Stittsville area sent thick, black smoke into the air over west Ottawa Monday morning.
The fire started at 304 Spruce Ridge Rd. at about 8:30 a.m. Monday, sending smoke over an area near Hazeldean Road and Highway 7.
The heat was apparently so intense that it melted some firefighters' helmets.
Nobody was home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $650,000.
Police closed Spruce Ridge Road between Hazeldean Road and Richardson Side Road for several hours. The road re-opened Monday afternoon.
