Firefighters saw holes in walls to battle blaze at former OAC building

Firefighters battle blaze on Lancaster Rd
Firefighters battle a blaze at the former OAC building on Lancaster Rd (Ottawa Fire/Twitter)

By Kaitlin Lee

Posted Jan 24, 2024 02:31:40 PM.

Last Updated Jan 24, 2024 02:31:44 PM.

Firefighters had to cut holes in the walls with a saw to bring a fire that scorched the former Ottawa Athletic Club (OAC) building under control Monday.

The first call came into Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) at 11:46 a.m. from the site on Lancaster Road.

A caller reported a fire outside of the building, with flames reaching the roof, and witnesses could see flames visible through the windows with black smoke rising from a distance.

Firefighters say flames were travelling between the walls, and they were able to help extinguish the flames by cutting into them.

Crews also used high pressurized fans to vent out the building.

Firefighters did a search of the premises, but workers on site had safely evacuated before they arrived.

The OFS says no one was injured in the blaze.

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