Two Displaced After Commercial-Residential Fire in Manotick
Two adults have been at least temporarily displaced following a fire that erupted in a commercial-residential structure on Manotick Main Street near Eastman Avenue early Sunday morning. The incident, which occurred on March 22, 2026, resulted in the tragic death of a cat found inside the building.
Emergency Response and Challenging Conditions
Ottawa Fire Services received multiple 9-1-1 calls just before 8 a.m., reporting heavy smoke and visible flames emanating from a two-storey building in the 5600 block of Manotick Main Street. Crews en route to the scene observed a significant column of smoke, prompting an immediate declaration of a working fire and the dispatch of additional resources.
Firefighters faced particularly challenging conditions, including freezing rain, as they worked to bring the blaze under control. The building featured a commercial occupancy on the first floor and a residential unit upstairs, complicating suppression efforts.
Firefighting Operations and Structural Concerns
Crews attacked the fire using multiple hose lines inside the structure, while an aerial ladder conducted suppression operations from above. Firefighters also conducted a thorough search of the smoke-filled building to confirm no occupants remained inside.
Due to safety concerns, firefighters were briefly withdrawn from the structure at approximately 8:40 a.m. when deteriorating floor conditions and the volume of water being applied raised structural stability issues. Crews re-entered the building at 8:58 a.m. to continue their work.
The age of the building and previous renovations required firefighters to open walls and ceilings to locate and extinguish hidden pockets of fire. The blaze was finally declared under control at 11:10 a.m., more than three hours after the initial emergency calls.
Aftermath and Investigation
Victim Services has been notified to assist the two displaced adults affected by the fire. Tragically, one cat was found deceased inside the structure during the incident.
An Ottawa Fire Services investigator remains on scene to determine the cause and origin of the fire. The investigation will examine all factors contributing to the blaze that disrupted this Manotick community.
