People rescued from third-floor balcony during Centretown fire

Firefighters rescued two people from a third-floor balcony while responding to late night fire in Centretown.

Around 9:55 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) responded to a building in the 300 block of Somerset Street West.

A 9-1-1 caller had reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the commercial and residential mixed structure and said there were people trapped on the balcony.

A working fire was confirmed, additional resources were deployed, and a ladder was immediately set up to rescue two people, who were brought to safety at 10:08 p.m.

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Firefighters completed two full searches of the structure and no occupants were found inside.

The fire was under control by 10:07 p.m.

An OC Transpo bus was dispatched to the scene to provide shelter for residents and high pressurized fans were used to ventilate the residual smoke from the building.

Victim services was also dispatched to the scene and a fire investigator is now working to determine the cause and origin of the blaze.