KANATA – Ottawa fires were up early this morning (Jan. 6) battling two different fires in the Kanata area.

At 2 a.m. the Ottawa Fire Service (OFS) received a call of smoke coming from a restaurant in the commercial plaza on Terrance Matthews Crescent between Michael Cowpland and Denzil Doyle roads. At almost the exact same time the OFS received a call of visible smoke at a commercial building on Hazeldean Road between Kincardine Drive and Roger Griffiths Avenue.

At the Kanata-South fire in District 4, Station 41 was first on scene.

“Firefighters arrived on location at 2:06 a.m. and entered the building to rapidly extinguish the flames,” OFS public information officer Carson Tharris released in a statement today. “Firefighters searched to confirm there were no occupants in the building and ventilated the smoke from the structure before declaring the fire under control at 2:33 a.m.”

The damage was contained to a single unit in the commercial plaza and an OFS Investigator is on route to confirm the cause of the fire.

The second fire was also in District 4, but in Kanata-Stittsville Ward. Station 46 was first on scene.

“Arriving firefighters confirmed flame visible at the front of a restaurant in a one-storey commercial plaza,” Tharris said. “Firefighters searched to confirm there were no occupants in the building and ventilated the smoke from the structure before declaring the fire under control at 2:32 a.m.

The fire damage was contained to a single unit in the commercial plaza, with smoke damage to surrounding businesses.

“An OFS investigator is on route to confirm the cause of the fire,” Tharris said. “We would like to thank the following agencies who collaborated with us to manage this incident: Ottawa Paramedic Service, Enbridge, Ottawa Police Service and Ottawa Hydro . Our work together is based on trust, cooperation and a group commitment to service excellence and safety.”

If you see smoke or fire call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.

“Remember, you are our eyes and ears to the emergency,” Tharris said. “Our dispatch staff will ask questions to help best locate the incident and assess the conditions surrounding the emergency. We encourage you to remain calm, answer the dispatcher’s questions and to stay on the line until advised to hang up. Be safe when Ottawa Fire Services crews are operating in your area. Best practice is to remain off the roads and at a safe distance from the fire scene or in your home.”