Barefoot escape after one of four fires in Ottawa Saturday

February 4, 2023 Canuck

Ottawa firefighters responded to three fires overnight and a fourth later in the morning as extreme cold gripped the capital.

A family of four and one guest on Kittiwake Drive in Stittsville escaped their home barefoot early Saturday morning after a fire broke out.

Ottawa Fire Services reported the fire just before 5:30 a.m. and said a second alarm was called because of the cold.

Occupants escaped barefoot into the backyard, but could not make it to the front due to the 🔥. Firefighters were able to get them safely out of the backyard & put them into one of our trucks. Firefighters immediately began treating them for frostbite on their feet. #OttNews

— Ottawa Fire Services (@OttFire) February 4, 2023

Most of the family had escaped into the back yard without any boots on but couldn’t make it around front because of the flames, OFS said. One managed to get out the front. Firefighters were able to rescue them and begin treating them for frostbite in one of the fire trucks that arrived. Ottawa paramedics said four patients were treated and released at the scene. Some minor smoke inhalation was also treated.

OFS spokesperson Nick DeFazio told CTV News Ottawa that several pets, including a frog, a lizard, a gecko, and a bird, were rescued from the home. Firefighters were able to reach family members trapped in the back yard by breaking down a fence.

Earlier, at around 3:20 a.m., an alarm sounded at Algonquin College residence on Navaho Drive. Firefighters found smoke on the first floor and were able to extinguish a fire. Students sheltered in a nearby campus building while crews were working. OFS said no injuries were reported. Ottawa paramedics told CTV News Ottawa that two people were treated and released at the scene for minor smoke inhalation-related symptoms.

At around 2 a.m., a fire was reported in an apartment building on Daly Avenue. It was found in a bedroom and quickly extinguished. The building was evacuated and residents were sheltered in an OC Transpo bus. One person was injured.

A fourth fire was reported just after 11:45 a.m. on Portland Avenue near Bank Street. Flames were reported at the back of a house and on the roof. No other details have been reported at this time.

We are on scene for the 4th 🔥 since 2am in the 1000 block of Portland Ave off of Bank St & Edge Hill Rd. At approx 11:43, 911 callers were reporting the back of a single family home was on fire & flames coming from the roof. #OttNews pic.twitter.com/B8O2PIVgpZ

— Ottawa Fire Services (@OttFire) February 4, 2023