Ottawa Firefighters were kept busy on Dynes Rd. overnight as two separate fires -- and two possible explosions -- happened within two hours of each other, just blocks away.
Calls came in reporting the first alleged explosion and flames coming from a row-home unit at 920 Dynes just after 11 p.m. Monday. The fire was later declared a two-alarm blaze.
The fire on Dynes Road has been contained to Units 22 & 24 at 920. CORRECTION: There are TWO (2) victims in care of Ottawa Paramedics. pic.twitter.com/BXOzVcPwvR
— Scott Stilborn (@OFSFirePhoto) July 18, 2017
Two men in their 20s were taken to hospital with injuries due to that incident. A 20-year-old man suffered second-degree burns to his upper body, as well as airway inhalation injuries, and a 27-year-old man suffered burns to his face and chest.
Paramedics say both patients were taken to the burn centre in serious but stable condition.
But the 20-year-old man's condition has since been downgraded to critical.
There are no details yet on the cause of the blaze.
The Red Cross and Salvation Army are assisting those displaced by the fire.
Then, just after 12:30 a.m., another fire and possible explosion was reported, this one at a house just down the road at 1077 Dynes Rd., closer to Fisher Avenue. The two residences are within 600 metres of each other.
Ottawa firefighters on scene on a Working Fire at 1077 Dynes Road. pic.twitter.com/oCt1lUVeSU
— Scott Stilborn (@OFSFirePhoto) July 18, 2017
No injuries were reported in that blaze, but the house was fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived. It was later found to be unoccupied.
Crews brought the fire under control just after 1:09 a.m.
Both fires are being investigated. The Ottawa Police Arson Unit believes the fires may be linked.