Ottawa police arson unit investigating two fires at Little Italy building
The Ottawa police arson unit is investigating two fires in the space of a week at the same Little Italy apartment building.
The fires were reported on Nov. 19 and Nov. 27 at 865 Gladstone Ave., which is an Ottawa Community Housing building.
The first fire on Nov. 19 did significant damage to the building’s sixth floor and displaced 40 people. Two people were hurt but their injuries were considered minor.
The second fire on Nov. 27 was on the second floor. It did minor damage. Two seniors were hospitalized because of smoke inhalation and a third person was treated and assessed at the scene.
Both fires were in common areas outside the elevator, police said in a news release Tuesday.
“Detectives continue to investigate both matters. At this time, it is not known if the two incidents are related,” police said.
Ottawa Community Housing says all residents affected by the fire on Nov. 27 were able to return home after firefighters got the fire under control. Sixth-floor tenants affected by the Nov. 19 fire are slowly returning this week.
"From the very beginning, OCH assisted those displaced tenants with temporary emergency accommodations. We also collaborated with the City of Ottawa, Ottawa West Community Support, Red Cross, and the local community house to facilitate and distribute meals and other necessities while around-the-clock repair and remediation work at the property continued to rehouse tenants impacted as effectively and efficiently as possible," an Ottawa Community Housing spokesperson said in a statement to CTV News.
Fire prevention officers were at the building Monday to speak with tenants and an educational information booth was set up in the lobby with more information about fire prevention, OCH said.
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 to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at crimestoppers.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.