Residents of an east-end senior's residence remain evacuated from their homes after Thursday's fatal fire that killed a 73-year-old man.

The blaze forced 121 residents out of Rothwell Heights Terrace, blasting open a third-floor window and filling corridors with smoke at the privately-run supported living facility on Montreal Road.

Although officials said those living on the first and second floors may be able to return to their homes within days, 38 third-floor residents likely won't be able to return to their units for weeks due to the extent of the damage.

Residents coping with evacuation

John Bradley, 55, managed to escape only with the oxygen tank he needs to survive. And one resident, Margaret Larabie, said her sense of security is missing.

"I'm a diabetic and they control my pills and insulin, because sometimes I forget," Larabie told CTV Ottawa.

Ontario Fire Marshals have released Rothwell Heights back to its owners as of Saturday morning. But new fire alarms must be installed, and health safety and air control inspections passed.

Co-owner Dorothy Vlaming said her staff is trying to bring the comforts of home to the displaced residents.

"We're trying to have come continuity in their day to day living as much as we can in a different setting," she said Friday.

Man warned about smoking habits

The fire is believed to have been caused by careless smoking in a third-floor unit .

Gaston Charbonneau, 73, was pronounced dead at the scene. He lived in the third floor room where the fire apparently started.

Four other residents were treated for minor smoke inhalation and one firefighter suffered a fractured ankle.

Vlaming told CTV Ottawa on Thursday that Charbonneau had been reprimanded several times for smoking in the non-smoking building.

"We had spoke with him several times and we had taken his cigarettes out of his room at that time, but it's independent living in our home and so people do go buy more," she added.

Police and fire marshals have completed the initial phase of their investigation, but have not announced the exact cause.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua