More than 70 seniors displaced by 'nightmare' residence fire
More than 70 people have been forced out of their homes after a fire broke out at a seniors' residence near Algonquin College early Sunday morning.
The fire struck at about 3 a.m. and had spread to the roof of the Meridian Place building by the time firefighters arrived.
Ottawa Fire Services said more than 60 units were damaged. One person was treated for smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital.
Temporary accommodations
The displaced residents have been provided temporary shelter at Ben Franklin Place on Centrepointe Drive.
It's unclear when they'll be able to return to their homes due to the severe smoke and water damage to the building.
"The majority of residents in the building are seniors, so we want to make sure they're taken care of with [their] medical needs," said Rod Fleck, a platoon chief with Ottawa Fire Services.
Fleck said most of the displaced seniors will be staying with family or friends, and those who don't have contacts in the city will receive the help they need.
"The department of emergency services, as well as the Salvation Army and Red Cross, are all working together to find accommodation for these people," he said.
The City of Ottawa confirmed it has arranged temporary accommodations for three people.
'It's been a nightmare'
Pat Whyte, who lives on the third floor, said she was awoken by the fire alarm at 3 a.m.
She and her friend Jan Slumkoski quickly gathered some clothing before heading out of the building.
"Everybody was rushing out, and a lot of people were in wheelchairs. And people were in their pyjamas and everything," she said.
"It's been a nightmare."
Whyte said she's relieved no one was seriously hurt in the fire, because the outcome could have been much worse.
"The garage door was on fire, and all the cars were in there. So if [the fire] hit the gas tanks it could've exploded," she said.
Joan and Joe Johnson have lived in the apartment complex for 19 years. The couple have arranged to stay with their son Bruce in Carleton Place, Ont., until they can re-enter their unit.
"Just to see the flames coming out of that centre portion, as we got down to the second floor, just shocked me," said Joan Johnson.
"I thought, 'Oh, the wind will carry it to both sides [of the building].' But it didn't."
Fire investigator on scene
None of the residents have serious mobility issues or acute health concerns, according to the deputy fire chief on the scene.
The Ottawa Paramedic Service tweeted that it was compiling a list of medications the residents need, and that firefighters would retrieve them from the building.
An Ottawa fire investigator is at the scene to determine the cause.
