Arson investigation opened for 3-alarm Bells Corners fire

An under construction building is on fire in Bells Corners. (OFS)

By Natasha O'Neill

Posted May 12, 2025 01:59:43 PM.

Last Updated May 12, 2025 02:14:38 PM.

Ottawa police opened an arson investigation into the Bells Corners apartment building blaze that prompted a three-alarm response in early April.

Crews battled a fire at an under-construction building in difficult conditions as they tried to preserve nearby structures on April 1 in the west Ottawa community.

Teams were called at 4:38 a.m. from a monitoring company reporting active alarms in the 0-100 block of Northside Road. Further calls were received from Ottawa paramedics who were in the area, saying they could smell smoke and see flames coming from a nearby building.

Firefighters were successful in preventing a nearby Davidson Hearing Aid Centre and a church from catching. However, the shooting embers spread to the roof of a small single-storey commercial building behind the apartments.

The devastation prompted a building collapse later that day.

Police are now asking for anyone who may have information to come forward. They are asking for dashcam or surveillance footage of “suspicious activity” near Northside Road, Thorncliff Place and Robertson Road.

Anyone with information about this is asked to contact the Arson Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 2202 or by email at arson@ottawapolice.ca

The building is completely demolished and crews are still on scene. (Nick DeFazio/OFS)

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