It took just minutes for a fire to ravage a commercial garage on Bentley Ave. Wednesday, as workers fled the burning building.
At least seven people were treated for smoke-related injuries.
Ottawa Paramedics say two of the seven were transported to the hospital. An eighth person drove himself to the hospital, with witnesses saying the man suffered burns to his lower body.
Neighbours heard a bang at around 10:45 a.m., and looked out to see flames on the roof of the garage at 50 Bentley Ave. with thick plumes of black smoke rising into the air.
Fire crews were able to clear out the building for a defensive attack on the blaze. The fact that it was a mechanical garage meant firefighters were at increased risk.
“In working with different tools that are in the automotive industry you have different types of tanks, et cetera, so those were the conditions firefighters were battling,” Ottawa Fire spokesperson Danielle Cardinal told CTV News. “It was a very rapidly progressing fire and the conditions were too dangerous inside for firefighters to go in.”
Crews were able to protect nearby buildings and vehicles from the fire.
The blaze was eventually brought under control at around 12:54 p.m. but the garage was destroyed.
A dollar loss estimate was not provided by Ottawa Fire. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
With files from CTV's Megan Shaw.