Several businesses impacted after flames spread through ByWard Market building
Posted Feb 25, 2025 11:26:17 AM.
Last Updated Feb 25, 2025 04:57:37 PM.
Early this morning crews were called to a large commercial building in the downtown core.
People were reporting heavy black smoke coming from the large structure in the 400 block of Dalhousie Street. Three minutes after the reports at 3:17 a.m. firefighters arrived and saw the smoke coming from the two-storey building.
The commercial business operated on the first floor and office space was located on the second.
Flames were seeping out of the building on the Besserer Street side. Crews quickly brought a hose inside towards the flames.
The smoke created almost no visibility as separate teams had search the large structure.
“Firefighters had to search through a ‘maze-like’ structure,” a post on X reads. Two searches needed to be completed and no one was found.
Crews had to open up and access flames that had travelled through the walls, floors and ceilings.
Almost four hours later, at 7:10 a.m., the fire was declared under control.
“Extensive” ventilation was needed to remove the smoke that travelled throughout the structure. A number of businesses will be impacted.
A fire investigator is on scene.
Several businesses ‘devastated’
According to the Downtown Rideau Business Improvement Area (BIA) these are the businesses that were impacted:
- Student Tasty Biryani (an Pak-Indo restaurant)
- Rytech (graphic design)
- Island Flava (Caribbean restaurant)
- The Palace Ottawa (nightclub)
- 3 Brothers (Shawarma and poutine)
- Silverline Tattoo
- Schroomz
- Letellier shoes
- Indigenous Cannabis Culture
- Reesink Law
Andrew Peck, the executive director of the Downtown Rideau BIA told CityNews that they are “absolutely devastated” to hear about the fire.
“A part of our community, have been significantly impacted by this fire as they face this major setback to their operations and revenue losses,” he wrote in an email. “It’s crucial that we all stand behind these businesses to support their strength and resilience as they begin the work to recover during this incredibly challenging time.”
