Fire damages building housing several businesses in Ottawa’s downtown

Firefighters responded to a call for a fire in a building on Dalhousie Street in Ottawa Tuesday morning. (Michael Mersereau/CTV News Ottawa

A fire at a commercial building in Ottawa’s downtown started outside the building and spread inside the structure Tuesday morning.

Firefighters responded to a call for a fire in a two-storey building on Dalhousie Street, between Rideau Street and Besserer Street, at approximately 3:20 a.m. A 9-1-1 caller reported heavy black smoke coming from the building.

Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson Nick Defazio said firefighters arrived on scene three minutes after the initial call, and confirmed black smoke was coming from the building.

“Open flame was found on the Besserer Street side on the outside of the structure and had breached the inside,” Defazio said.

“Firefighters advanced a hose line towards the open flames and began extinguishing the flames.”

Firefighters searching the building for any occupants had to navigate through a “maze like” structure while contending with zero visibility due to the smoke, according to Defazio.

“Areas of the structure had to be opened up to access and extinguish flames travelling through the walls, floors and ceilings,” Defazio said. “Firefighters completed two full searching of the structure and no occupants were found inside.”

The fire was declared under control at 7:10 a.m., but there was still heavy smoke within the building.

No injuries have been reported.

Defazio says all businesses inside the building will be impacted by the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.