As many as 50 people are homeless after a series of devastating fires in Ottawa over the weekend.
The first fire ignited after a cooking mishap involving fondue in the unit of a townhouse on Stokes Crescent near Castlefrank Road in Kanata Friday night.
The fire affected four of the building's units. Investigators say residents living in three of the units won't be able to return home for an estimated six months.
A 57-year-old woman battling breast cancer is among those burned out of their homes.
"It makes it difficult when you're not at home to cope with that uncomfortableness and fatigue," Connie Hicks told CTV Ottawa on Monday.
Twenty-eight residents are also homeless following an apartment fire on Mann Avenue in Sandy Hill on Saturday. Investigators say a smoldering cigarette was the cause of that fire, which took firefighters two hours to control.
A third fire also gutted a row of condos on Stratus Court in Kanata on Sunday. All eight of the units are expected to be torn down. The cause of that fire remains unknown.
Some of the fire victims are staying in hotels; others are being put up with family or friends.
Neighbours are now banding together to find ways to help.
Non-perishable food items are currently being accepted at the food court at Hazeldean Mall. Family and friends are also working to put together a trust fund for those left homeless by the fires. Details regarding the trust funds have not yet been finalized.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s John Hua
