http://www.ottawasun.com/News/BreakingNews/2007/08/16/4422596.html
Huge blaze leaves dozens homeless
Thursday, 2:30 p.m. Two commercial/residential structures razed, no major injuries
Up to 30 people are homeless and an investigation has begun into the cause of a massive early-morning blaze which has reduced two downtown commercial and residential buildings to little more than a shell and pile of rubble.
Fortunately, there have been no serious injuries to people, although several pets have apparently perished.
Roads in the area of Somerset West and Booth streets remained closed this afternoon as fire crews doused hot spots in the building which is still standing, an older three-storey structure at 801 Somerset. The building at 811 collapsed into rubble this morning after burning furiously for several hours. Part of the roof of 801 has fallen in.
The buildings both contained businesses on the ground floor and a total of 30 apartments on their second and third storeys.
The fire has been deemed suspicious, and investigators have already started their probe into the cause.
A police officer spotted smoke coming from one of the buildings at about 3:30 a.m. By the time fire and other rescue crews arrived the building was belching flames and smoke. Embers carried by wind blew over to 801 and ignited the roof there, according to a woman who lives in one of the buildings.
As flames ate their way through most of the structures, massive plumes of smoke billowed across the downtown and crowds gathered to watch.
"Half asleep, and unsure of what was going on and where, we made our way outside to investigate," said neighbour Gregory Kampf, who said he and his wife were awakened by the commotion and smell of smoke just after 4 a.m. "That’s when we saw an orange glow and thick smoke rising into the air up towards Somerset St.
"Joining them, we saw that some appeared to be residents of the burning buildings, carrying guitar cases, knapsacks and cat carriers," said Kampf. "A half-dozen Red Cross and Salvation Army workers in uniform were tending to (them), some in bare feet, others wrapped in blankets."
Kampf said no amount of water from the firefighters' hoses could prevent the inferno from spreading and said smoke from the buildings was "making it difficult to breath."
Ottawa paramedics say one firefighter suffered a minor knee injury. A resident was treated for a minor respiratory ailment and paramedics gave oxygen to three cats which seemed to be in distress as a result of smoke inhalation. All those animals were reunited with their owners.
Salvation Army and Red Cross workers arrived soon after fire crews, and called in OC Transpo buses for temporary shelter. The residents were given food, drinks and blankets.
Many of the residents have now been offered temporary accommodation at an area hotel, and given emergency cash to tide them over as they try to get back onto their feet.
"A lot of them had pets," and several animals died, said Salvation Army disaster services co-ordinator Tom Sydney from the scene. "A lot of them did not have insurance. It's that added cost which unfortunately some of them can't afford."
Sydney said the 30 apartments are mainly low-rent units, and their loss will hit hard amongst the residents, many of whom cannot afford more expensive accommodation.
Police say the fire is suspicious and investigators from the fire and police arson squads are on the scene.
About 29 fire vehicles and upwards of 68 firefighters were on the scene at the height of the blaze.
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