Several people displaced after highrise fire on Halifax Drive

Several residents have been displaced by a highrise fire on Halifax Drive on Tuesday evening.

Firefighters received several 911 calls reporting visible flames and smoke from the building in the southeast portion of Ottawa.

Crews arriving on the scene confirmed heavy smoke and flames coming from the sixth floor on the building's north side and saw that the blaze had extended up to an apartment on the seventh floor.

Some residents on the sixth floor were on their balconies to avoid hallways filled with smoke.

The two elderly residents from the fire unit found shelter in another apartment on the sixth floor.

Firefighters located the two residents who were injured from the fire and safely brought them outside. Other residents were also brought out safely by fire crews.

A cat was located unconscious inside the fire unit.

Firefighters administered CPR and oxygen to try and resuscitate the animal, which died.

The fire was brought under control at 8:20 p.m..

Firefighters said approximately seven units were affected by the fire.

Water damage from the seventh-floor fire unit went straight down to the building's first floor in all seven units.

Victim assistance was requested for approximately 15-20 residents from those units who were displaced due to the fire.

The Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army were to assist several residents who were displaced.

Ottawa paramedics treated a number of minor injuries and an OC Transpo bus was used to shelter residents who had left their apartments.

An Ottawa Fire Services investigator was sent to determine the point of origin and cause of the highrise fire.