Arson unit investigating highrise fire that sent 3 to hospital in critical condition

The Ottawa police arson unit is taking over the investigation of a fire at a Donald Street highrise that sent eight people to hospital Thursday morning, including three with life-threatening injuries.

Emergency crews were called to the building in the city'sOverbrookneighbourhood around 6 a.m.

Two children and a woman are in critical condition after inhaling smoke and suffering other injuries, said Marc-Antoine DeschampswithOttawa paramedics.

Five othersweretaken to hospital in stable condition after sufferinginjuries ranging from mild smoke inhalation to an exacerbation of their pre-existing conditions, Deschampssaid. Another six peoplewere treated at thescene.

By mid-afternoon, Ottawa police said the fire had been deemed suspicious.

Fire started on 3rd floor

The fire brokeout in a third-floor apartment and the people were rescued from the hallway,Ottawa Fire Services spokespersonNick DeFaziotold CBC.

The fire was under control by 7 a.m. and fully extinguished byjust before 10:30.Multiple residents have been displaced, DeFaziosaid. The Salvation Army hasbeen called in to assist.

Ottawa Fire Chief Paul Huttsaidaround 200 people are affected. It's unclear when they may be able to return home.

'I was scared'

People who have been displaced are being asked to meet at theOverbrook Community Centre, Hutt said.

"It's very stressful," saidBeacon Hill-CyrvillecouncillorTim Tierney whose ward encompasses the Overbrook neighbourhood."It's probably one of the more needy communities and we've got to ensure we protect them as best we can."

Mahsa, an 11-year-old who lives on the 11th floor of the building, spoke to CBCon behalf of her familybecause of a possiblelanguage barrier.

Her family made it part of the way down the stairwell shortly after the fire alarm began sounding throughout the building, but they only made it to the fifth floor before the smoke and odour halted their progress.

"We couldn't go down anymore because it was very bad," Mahsa said."I was scared and it smelled very bad."

Karishma Rahmaniwas asleep on the seventh floor when her mother woke her up to tell her there was a fire in the building.

"When we opened the door, it was all smoke and we could not see anything," Rahmani said.

Her family wasalso prevented from descending below the fifth floor due to the thickblack smoke. Rahmani said herfamily plannedto head to the community centre to figure out where they'll be able to go next.

Ottawa police are warning drivers to expect significant delays in the area of St. Laurent Boulevard and Donald Street. Donald is closed east of St. Laurent and OC Transpo is detouring bus routes 20 and 27.

Ottawa Fire Services andthe Office of the Fire Marshal are assisting police in the investigation.