Police arson squad probing ‘suspicious’ highrise fire that left woman and two children in critical condition

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The Ottawa police arson squad says it is investigating a fire at a highrise apartment building Thursday morning that left a woman and two children in hospital in critical condition.

“The Ottawa Police Arson Unit will be investigating the fire, as it has been deemed to be suspicious in nature,” police said in a brief release Thursday afternoon.

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Anyone with information is asked to call the arson unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 2202.

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Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at crimestoppers.ca.

Two children and an adult have been taken to hospital in critical condition with severe smoke inhalation after the early morning fire forced the evacuation of a highrise apartment building in the Cyrville neighbourhood.

“The latest information we have is that the three patients are still in life-threatening condition in hospital,” Marc-Antoine Deschamps, a spokesman for the Ottawa Paramedic Service, said Thursday morning.

Deschamps said about five people with less serious injuries were also taken to hospital while a handful of other people were treated on site for minor smoke inhalation.

The building, at 1244 Donald St., is home to a large population of Syrian refugees.

Ottawa Fire Chief Paul Hutt said 50 apartments have been affected by smoke and water damage, and about 200 people displaced. The city has created an emergency reception centre for those affected at the Overbrook Community Centre.

Hutt said firefighters responded to a 6:04 a.m. call from an alarm company about smoke in the Donald Street high-rise. When crews arrived four minutes later, they found people on their balconies trying to escape the smoke pouring from the building.

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Crews entered the building and were confronted with heavy smoke conditions, Hutt said, and elevated the response to a two-alarm fire. More than 20 fire trucks responded to the scene.

Firefighters rescued two children and an adult from the third floor, which is where it’s believed the fire originated.

All three were unconscious when brought out of the building. Firefighters worked with paramedics in an effort to resuscitate them. They were taken to hospital in critical condition.

Hutt said the first four floors of the building have been affected by fire, smoke and water damage. He said it will be up to investigators to confirm the origin and cause of the fire.

When faced with a highrise fire, Hutt said, firefighters prioritize life, property and the surrounding environment. One stairwell was used for evacuations, another for firefighters and their equipment. Firefighters knocked on doors to alert residents to the danger.

“Our first tactical priority is that we get everyone out as safe as possible,” he said. “In some cases, we people to shelter in place and stay in their apartment if the hallway is full of smoke.”

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Firefighters had to clear smoke from the hallways before some of those sheltering in their apartments could be brought out of the building.

Hutt said it’s not clear how long affected residents will remain displaced. “It will be some time, there’s no doubt,” he said.

Beacon-Hill Cyrville councillor Tim Tierney was on scene Thursday morning as the building was being evacuated.

“These towers have the highest concentration population of Syrian refugees in the city of Ottawa,” said Tierney. “We’ve always worked with them and offered supports – these are some of the people with the greatest needs in our city – and we’ll do that again now.”

Tierney said the city’s social services will work with the Red Cross to support those who have been displaced.

Ottawa police Insp. Martin Groulx said police arson investigators have been engaged “due to the nature and size of the fire” to assist fire officials in determining the fire’s origin.

Groulx said he could not comment on whether there was any obvious sign of arson.

Police asked motorists to avoid the scene.

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