Highrise fire injures 2 workers, displaces tenants

Ottawa Fire Services was called to a 15-storey building on Playfair Drive shortly after noon on Wednesday. They found a fifth-floor electrical panel on fire and put the blaze out.  (Ottawa Fire Services - image credit)
Ottawa Fire Services was called to a 15-storey building on Playfair Drive shortly after noon on Wednesday. They found a fifth-floor electrical panel on fire and put the blaze out. (Ottawa Fire Services - image credit)

Two workers were injured in a highrise fire on Wednesday afternoon and tenants from several of the building's floors have been displaced.

Ottawa Fire Services was called to a 15-storey building on Playfair Drive in Alta Vista shortly after noon. They found a fifth-floor electrical panel on fire and put the blaze out.

Two workers were seriously injured in the fire and treated by firefighters, according to the fire service's post on X.

Ottawa Paramedic Service told CBC via email the two men were working on an electrical panel "when there was an arc and both [men] sustained serious burns but were not electrocuted."

No residents reported injuries.

1600 block of Playfair Dr. fire Ottawa October 30
1600 block of Playfair Dr. fire Ottawa October 30

An unspecified number of residents are displaced because of the fire. (Ottawa Fire Services)

A large amount of smoke coursed through the building, requiring extensive ventilation. Power was shut off to the first six floors.

An Ottawa fire spokesperson said Thursday morning those six floors still didn't have power and 69 people are displaced: 50 staying with friends and family and 19 being taken care of by the Canadian Red Cross.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.