The Ontario Fire Marshal is looking into the cause of a fire at a high-rise building in Centretown that resulted in two fatalities.
Ottawa Fire Services got a call from a monitoring agency about active fire alarms at a building on the 300 block of Somerset St. W. just after 9:30 p. m. Saturday.
Several 9-1-1 calls were also made, reporting a blaze on the 19th floor of an apartment building. Fire Services noted that one caller reached out from the balcony of the burning unit, saying they were trapped because of intense heat, heavy smoke and flames.
When firefighters arrived, they quickly realized the situation was serious and worked urgently to rescue those inside.
The crews headed to the 19th floor where they encountered thick smoke and flames reaching up to the ceiling.
Responders advanced with a hose line and began searching for any trapped residents. Three unconscious individuals were found inside the unit. A fourth person was discovered on the balcony and was conscious.
A fifth resident received help getting out from a neighboring unit.
All those rescued received care from paramedics. Two residents underwent CPR but were later pronounced dead.
Firefighters managed to contain the fire within the unit, declaring it under control shortly after 10 p. m.
An Ottawa Fire Investigator was present at the scene, and an investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal is ongoing as well.
A fire watch remains active, with a fire truck stationed nearby to monitor for any potential flare-ups.
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