Firefighters help several people to safety after high-rise blaze in Cyrville

Ottawa firefighters have successfully contained a fire in an apartment unit in a high-rise building earlier this morning.

Around 8:11 a.m., Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) responded to a fire in an east-end residential high-rise in the 1100 block of Cummings Avenue, off Ogilvie Road in the Cyrville area.

Soon after, the building’s alarm company called Ottawa Fire Services’ Communications Division, reporting active fire alarms at this address.  

Once on scene, smoke was visible in the air as firefighters responded to the call — and therefore, a “working fire” was declared prior to their arrival and additional resources were dispatched to the scene.

Crews arrived on scene four minutes after being dispatched, reported Ottawa Fire Services.

Visible smoke emerging from the rear of the building, as well as flames coming out of a second floor apartment window. They immediately proceeded to the second floor, located the fire and began searching the unit for any occupants.

Officials helped multiple residents safely evacuate the building using the stairwell, adding the blaze was contained before it was able to spread past the unit.

The fire was declared “under control” at 8:24 a.m., eight minutes after fire crews arrived on scene. 

Extensive ventilation operations were conducted, using high pressurized fans to remove residual smoke from the residential building, said OFS.

“High levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the building, so ventilation operations continued until the air quality was deemed safe for residents to return to their units,” they added.

While a fire investigator remains on location, victim assistance will be provided at the scene for anyone displaced by the fire.

There are road closures at Ogilvie Road and Cummings Avenue and at Cyrville Road, until further notice. Crews are asking residents to avoid the area.