Smoke at Brewer Pool forces the evacuation of the COVID-19 Assessment Centre

OTTAWA -- The COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Brewer Arena was briefly evacuated after an odour of smoke filled the air at the Brewer Pool next door.

Ottawa Fire was called to the Brewer Arena for reports of smoke.

In a statement on Twitter, officials said firefighters were investigating electrical issues at the pool and arena, and identified damaged equipment at the pool.

#OttFire is on location for an odour of smoke at Brewer Pool. Firefighters are investigating electrical issues at the Pool and Arena and have identified damaged equipment at the pool. Firefighters worked with @OttawaHospital staff to evacuate the assessment centre as a precaution pic.twitter.com/beLeTu8xIZ

— Ottawa Fire Services (@OttFire) August 26, 2020

Ottawa Hospital staff and firefighters evacuated the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the arena as a precaution. Operations at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre resumed at approximately 1:30 p.m. 

Ottawa Fire says staff have worked to ensure the electricity supply at the arena is safely isolated from the damaged equipment at the Brewer Pool.

Firefighters have worked with facility staff to ensure the electrical supply at the arena is safely isolated from the damaged equipment at the pool. Assessment centre staff are preparing to resume operations.

— Ottawa Fire Services (@OttFire) August 26, 2020