Fire damages duplex in Ottawa’s Chinatown neighbourhood

Investigators are searching for the cause of a fire that damaged a duplex on Bell Street North in Ottawa. (Scott Stilborn/Ottawa Fire Services/X)

No one was hurt in an evening fire in Ottawa’s Chinatown neighbourhood.

The Ottawa Fire Services received multiple 9-1-1 calls at 8:43 p.m. Monday, reporting a fire in a duplex on Bell Street North, between Eccles Street and Christie Street.

Officials say firefighters arrived on scene 2 minutes after being dispatched to the call and confirmed “heavy flames” at the back of the building.

“Heavy smoke was pouring out the from the basement window as well,” Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson Nick DeFazio said. “Firefighters initiated a fast attack and advanced a hose line to the back of the structure. A deck on the second floor of the structure was fully engulfed in flames. A secondary crew began searching the structure for any occupants.”

Firefighters were forced to open up the walls to extinguish the flames that were spreading through the structure.

No occupants were found inside the building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

One person will be displaced due to the damage to the building.