Displaced couple loses cat in fire

Two adults have been displaced and one cat is dead following a morning fire in Manotick.

Emergency services were called to the 5600 block of Manotick Main Street after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting heavy smoke and flames coming from a two-storey structure. Officials say the building contained commercial occupancy on the first floor and a residential unit on the second.

“While en route, responding crews could see a significant column of smoke, prompting the declaration of a “working fire” and the dispatch of additional resources,” Ottawa Fire Services wrote in a post on X.

Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed active flames, with fire extending through the roof.

Despite the freezing rain, crews advanced multiple hose lines into the structure while an aerial ladder was deployed to conduct suppression operations from above.

Firefighters completed two searches of the smoke-filled building and found no occupants inside.

Crews faced another hazard when they discovered a large hole in the second-floor structure.

Firefighters were briefly withdrawn from the structure due to deteriorating conditions and the volume of water being applied.

Crews re-entered approximately 20 minutes later to continue interior operations.

Extensive overhaul was required due to the age of the building. Crews opened walls and ceilings to locate and extinguish hidden pockets of fire.

The fire was declared under control at 11:10 a.m.

Victim Services was called to assist two adults that were displaced from the fire. One cat was located deceased inside the structure.

An Ottawa Fire Investigator was on scene and Manotick Main Street is closed.