One resident was temporarily displaced after Ottawa Fire Service handled a stubborn fire at a multi-unit structure in the Hintonburg district Tuesday night.
Responders were called shortly after 8 p.m. when a neighbour reported flames on the balcony of a duplex in the 100 block of Irving Avenue, north of Gladstone Avenue.
Firefighters arriving at the scene advanced a hose down the laneway and began fighting the fire from the exterior.
A second crew entered the building to search for occupants.
Firefighters breached the door to the affected unit and located a lone occupant and their cat, and helped them to escape the fire. Crews searched the remaining units and helped other residents escape.
Firefighters managed to handle most of the fire from the outside before advancing a hose inside the affected unit to extinguish remaining flames on the balcony.
The fire was contained to the exterior area and prevented from spreading into the unit.
The fire was declared under control at about 8:20 p.m. with all occupants accounted for. High-pressure fans were used to ventilate smoke, and air quality was deemed safe before residents were allowed to return to their units.
Due to damage to the entry door, the occupant of the affected unit was temporarily displaced and worked with the building owner to secure alternate accommodations.
