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Police arson unit needs witnesses to two fires at Gladstone Avenue apartment building

Ottawa police headquarters.
Ottawa police headquarters. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

Ottawa police say the arson unit is investigating two separate suspicious fires an apartment building on Gladstone Avenue within just over a week.

Detectives were seeking witnesses to fires on Nov. 19 and 27 at the building between Preston and Rochester streets but it wasn’t yet known if the two incidents are related, the Ottawa Police Service said Tuesday.

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In the first fire on the afternoon of Nov. 19, two people suffered minor injuries and there was substantial damage to the building’s sixth floor, police said. In the second fire Sunday morning, two people were treated for smoke inhalation and there was minor damage on the second floor.

Both fires were contained to the common area outside the elevators.

On Nov. 19, Ottawa Fire Services said crews had to use aerial ladders to rescue multiple people from their balconies to keep them safe from the smoke-filled hallways.

A total of 27 residents were displaced from 20 units at the seniors complex at 865 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa Community Housing said Tuesday. They’ve been staying in hotel rooms but were able to start a staggered return to their homes Monday after around-the-clock repairs. The return is expected to be complete Thursday.

No residents were displaced by the second fire Sunday.

Police asked anyone with information about the fires to contact the arson unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 4587 or arson@ottawapolice.ca.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

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