Six people were forced from their homes after a fire damaged a multi-unit residential building in Ottawa’s Lowertown neighbourhood during Tuesday’s intense heat.
Ottawa Fire Services responded to reports of smoke at a three-storey building on George Street shortly before 4:10 p.m. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and located flames near the basement staircase, with additional fire discovered inside the walls and ceiling as crews worked to contain the blaze.
Officials said the extreme heat and humidity made firefighting efforts more difficult. Despite the challenging conditions, all residents escaped safely. Firefighters also rescued a cat from the building, provided it with oxygen and reunited it with its owner.
No injuries were reported, and the fire was extinguished before 5 p.m. Victim services are assisting the six displaced residents with temporary accommodations, while investigators continue to determine the cause of the fire.