Electrical worker injured following incident at McArthur Loblaws

Ottawa firefighters outside the Loblaws store on McArthur Avenue. April 2, 2025. (Jean Lalonde/Ottawa Fire Services

A third-party contractor doing electrical work at the Loblaws store on McArthur Avenue was injured in an incident Wednesday.

Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson Nick DeFazio told CTV News Ottawa that firefighters were called to the store around 2 p.m. Wednesday upon reports of a possible explosion coming from the electrical room. No fire was found at the scene, but firefighters reported a light haze in the store and the smell of burning plastic.

The store was briefly closed while fire crews used fans to blow the haze out.

DeFazio said the injured worker was taken to hospital by another worker. Loblaw could not comment on the injuries, but said the worker is recovering.

“While we are unable to provide specific details about the health of the worker, we have been told they were released after receiving medical attention. Our priority is always the safety and well-being of everyone in our stores, and we are fully cooperating with all relevant authorities,” a company spokesperson said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

Hydro Ottawa confirmed it was not conducting the primary work at the site but was called in to support the emergency response.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour is investigating.

“On April 2, 2025, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development was notified of a workplace incident that occurred in Ottawa, where an electrical fire was reported. A ministry inspector has been assigned to investigate. As the investigation is currently ongoing, we are unable to provide further information at this time,” a statement said.