House fire in Vars causes building to collapse

Ottawa Firefighters put out a structure fully engulfed in smoke and flames on Tuesday night in Ottawa’s east end.

Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) says at around 9 p.m., a 911 caller reported that a structure was fully engulfed in smoke and flames in the 5600 block of Frank Kenny Road.

Firefighters found there was nobody inside the two-storey home. They say the brush at the back of the home also caught fire.

Fire crews had to bring water in from a nearby water source in their tanker trucks because there are no hydrants in the area. Water had to be kept on a propane tank on the side of the home for the safety of crews on scene.

OFS says no firefighters were allowed to enter the home due to the fire conditions.

All four sides of the house eventually collapsed.

The fire was declared under control at 10 p.m. and an excavator was brought to the scene to move the debris to put out any hot spots.

There are no reported injuries.