Multi-unit building under construction in Bells Corners destroyed by fire

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Bells Corners building engulfed in flames

Bells Corners fire as seen from the bus

Massive fire destroys Bells Corners building

A multi-unit residential building under construction in Bells Corners was destroyed by a massive fire early Tuesday morning that put other nearby buildings at risk.

The building at the corner of Northside Road and Thorncliff Place caught fire at around 4:43 a.m. It took nearly 10 hours to get the fire under control.

Ottawa Fire Services public information officer Nick DeFazio said the five-storey, 53-unit building was completely engulfed in smoke and flames when fire crews arrived, and nearby structures were at risk because of the wind.

“Heavy winds shooting embers into the area created higher risks of these structures catching fire,” DeFazio said. “The fire spread to the roof of a small single storey commercial structure at the back of fire structure.”

There are no reported injuries at this time and the cause of the fire is unknown. A fire investigator has been sent to the area.

Rohit Homes, the building’s developer, said in a statement it is supporting fire investigators.

“Early this morning we were notified that a fire broke out that has impacted our project located at 42 Northside Road, known as The Levels at Bells Corners. We are supporting the authorities with their active investigation,” the statement said. “We are thankful that Ottawa Fire and Emergency Services were quick to respond. At this time, we are unaware of the origin or cause of the fire and trust that we will learn more through the investigation. We are committed to continued support in the community.”

The company said there would be no further comment at this time.

College Ward Coun. Laine Johnson said in a Facebook post Tuesday morning that fire crews were working to protect nearby buildings, including Emmanuel Alliance Church and the Davidson Hearing Aid Centre office building on Thorncliff Place.

DeFazio said nearby residents were calling 9-1-1 to report embers from the blaze falling onto their homes. Fire crews said they would evacuate homes if need be, and did evacuate the Davidson Hearing Aid Centre building.

“Firefighters are going door to door to nearby residential homes checking for any carbon monoxide in the homes,” DeFazio said.

The windows of the Emmanuel Alliance Church were damaged as a result of the heat but firefighters managed to protect the rest of the church and the Davidson Hearing Aid Centre.

The apartment building collapsed at around 5:45 a.m. The small one-storey structure behind it became fully engulfed in smoke and flames and was also lost in the blaze, DeFazio said.

DeFazio told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal just before 10:30 a.m. that the fire had not yet been declared under control and he expected crews to remain on scene all day checking for hot spots.

“When you’re dealing with an under-construction building, it’s almost like a giant campfire. There’s no fire walls yet, so it’s just wood frame… so it was completely engulfed in smoke and flames,” he said.

The fire was officially declared under control at 2:29 p.m.

The smell of smoke lingered around the neighbourhood well into the morning. Students at the nearby Bell High School on Cassidy Road were sent home for the day, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) said.

“The neighbourhood fire is impacting Bell High School with the smell of smoke inside and an interruption to the water supply, as it is being prioritized for fire control efforts. Out of an abundance of caution, the school has requested parents and caregivers to make arrangements to pick up their children from school or sign them out,” said OCDSB spokesperson Joe Koraith in an email.

Teachers were asked to remain at the school while students were still present.

Nearby businesses damaged

Nearby resident Richard Katsmith was standing at the end of his driveway watching the fire as embers rained down.

“Just the heat on my face in my driveway was too hot. Just stand there 100 yards away,” he said.

Across the street, Dinardo’s Ski and Wheels also suffered smoke and heat damage, but partner Pamela Spirito says the biggest loss is the much-needed housing.

“They’ve worked on this for years. My heart’s broken for them. It was getting so close to being finished, now look at it. With the way the housing market is, and we need housing in the Ottawa area - it’s quite a big impact.”

Spirito said she didn’t know if her building was still standing until she arrived on scene.

“You can see from the sign that it’s melted. The temperatures are obviously very high, mostly it’s smoke damage. There’s some in the back buildings, a little melted on the side and the camera security cameras are damaged in, but mostly inside.”

Senior pastor of the Emmanuel Alliance Church Jinsong Steven Yu says he was shocked by the damage the fire caused.

“It’s surprising and so sad we noticed all the windows towards the burned building are damaged and some of the walls on top,” he said.

Police closed Robertson Road in both directions between Stafford Road and Baseline Road early Tuesday morning while firefighters battled the blaze. Roads began to reopen at around 7:20 a.m.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Katelyn Wilson