Ottawa firefighters douse electrical fire in St. Paul University student residence bathroom

An Ottawa fire truck sits outside the student residence for St. Paul University following a fire in a fourth-floor unit. Jan. 1, 2026 (Jean Lalonde/Ottawa Fire Services)

Ottawa Fire Services says firefighters tackled the first fire of 2026 in about 15 minutes, after an alarm went off at a student residence at St. Paul University.

Firefighters arrived at the building on Hazel Street at around 10:48 a.m. on New Year’s Day for a fire in a fourth-floor unit.

A light fixture in the bathroom was the source of the smoke and flames, which had spread into the nearby walls, OFS Public Information Officer Nick DeFazio said in a post on X.

The fire was quickly extinguished and contained to the bathroom. It was declared under control at 11:04 a.m.

No one was reported hurt.

High-pressure fans were used to remove smoke from the building. Residence staff found alternate accommodations for the displaced student, and the power was turned off in the affected bathroom.

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