Six people displaced after crews battle basement fire in 30 C temperatures

he humid temperatures in the nation’s capital made it difficult for crews to fight a basement fire in the Lowertown neighbourhood. According to firefighters, they were called to the 400 block of George Street around 4:09 p.m. by a passerby who noticed smoke coming from the back of a home. When they arrived, they found [...]

he humid temperatures in the nation’s capital made it difficult for crews to fight a basement fire in the Lowertown neighbourhood. According to firefighters, they were called to the 400 block of George Street around 4:09 p.m. by a passerby who noticed smoke coming from the back of a home. When they arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from the basement door of the building.

Bringing a hose line when the first team entered the building the haze was so thick it was hard to see. They found flames at the bottom of the stairs. After pouring water on it, they had to check the walls and ceiling for any more hot spots, which they did find and extinguished.

The whole multi-unit residence was searched and confirmed no one was inside. A cat was found and brought outside where they were given oxygen before being reunited with their owner. Related: Barrhaven townhomes unhabitable after overnight fire 5,800 basements flooded as people recover from historic Canada Day storm Firefighters rescue woman who fell from Rockcliffe Lookout By 4:55 p.m. the fire was declared under control.

Six people are displaced as a result of the incident. A fire watch team remained at the site to make sure there were no flare-ups. Temperatures soaring across the province peaked on Tuesday , but heat will persist into possibly Thursday.

A cat was given oxygen after being pulled from the building. (Scott Stilborn/OFS)