Highrise fire injures 2 workers, displaces tenants

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 toa 15-storeybuilding on Playfair Drive in Alta Vista shortly after noon. They found a fifth-floorelectrical 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.

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 morningthose sixfloors 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.