Firefighters saw ‘large column of black smoke’ from garage blaze
Posted Jan 26, 2026 01:33:17 PM.
Last Updated Jan 26, 2026 01:33:26 PM.
From several blocks away, firefighters could see a billowing column of black smoke emanating from a garage blaze.
On Sunday, around 12:45 p.m., crews received a call from a resident who lives in a home in the 900 block of Winnington Avenue, in Ottawa’s west end. They said a fire started in a detached garage, but it was only separated from the home by a small gap. There were two vehicles inside the garage, and the people in the house were evacuating.
Responding teams noted that they could see the smoke as they arrived. There were heavy flames coming from a single-storey, two-car garage. The blaze appeared to be the most intense on the side of the garage closest to the home, firefighters said of the situation.
Initiating a fast-attack, crews doused the flames from the outside, while a second team used chainsaws to cut through the garage. More firefighters went into the home to search the building, making sure everyone was out.
By 1:04 p.m., teams had the fire under control. Two searches of the garage and the home confirmed no one was inside.
The high-heat incident caused several windows to break on the side of the house closest to the garage. Before leaving, firefighters wetted down the eaves and soffits, checked the attic and made sure there was no heat anywhere else.
The residents were safe to return home after officials confirmed the air quality was safe.
A fire investigator was dispatched to the scene.
