Four people have been displaced after a fire early Wednesday morning, one of three fires Ottawa firefighters responded to in less than 12 hours.
Ottawa Fire Services public information officer Nick DeFazio says firefighters were called to a townhouse row on Belisle Street in Vanier, just north of McArthur Avenue, at around 4:30 a.m.
Everyone was able to get out of the home before fire crews arrived, DeFazio said, but several residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Ottawa paramedic Supt. Nic Guertin told CTV News Ottawa that one child was taken to the hospital in serious but stable condition and a woman was transported in stable condition. Two other people were assessed and treated at the scene.
Speaking on Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal, DeFazio said residents suffered from smoke inhalation, which can be a serious issue.
“A lot of people always think that it’s the flames that are going to hurt you, and we see that a lot in high-rise fires—people will look out their door, they only see smoke, and they think they can get out, and that’s the furthest from the truth,” he said.
“Two gulps of smoke and anyone will go down. That’s what often really hurts people.”
The fire was under control in about 20 minutes and firefighters prevented it from spreading to other units. Some units were affected by the heavy smoke, however, and firefighters used fans to ventilate them.
Two adults and two children are displaced and will be receiving help from Victim Assistance, DeFazio said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This was the third of three fires since Tuesday evening.
At around 7 p.m., firefighters were called to a fire in a seventh-floor apartment on McLeod Street. One person was seriously injured and a dog and a cat were found dead inside the unit.
The second fire happened just after midnight Wednesday on Tacom Circle in Barrhaven. A kitchen fire broke out in an end-unit townhouse.
Residents had escaped the home safely, but two cats remained inside. Firefighters were able to rescue the cats and bring them outside.
The fire was under control by 12:36 a.m. and was contained to the kitchen.