Candle near Christmas tree causes $500,000 fire
Buses provide shelter as firefighters battle extreme cold
By Kirstin Endemann, The Ottawa Citizen January 15, 2012 3:06 PM
OTTAWA — A woman was taken to hospital after an early morning Christmas tree fire burned both floors of a two-storey, single-family home near Richmond Road on Sunday.
A male passerby saw heavy smoke coming from 446 Fraser Ave. and heard a person coughing behind it at about 2 a.m.
Ottawa firefighters found the sole occupant of the home, a 63-year-old woman, in a semi-conscious state outside of the building when they arived.
Paramedics treated her for smoke inhalation. She was taken to the hospital and later released into the care of a family member in Gatineau.
The fire started after someone left a candle burning next to the Christmas tree, which caused it to catch fire, said Marc Messier of Ottawa Fire.
OC Transpo provided buses as shelter for the victim and firefighters as they had to deal with extreme cold temperatures during the evening; The temperature was forecast to hit - 25 C overnight.
The Red Cross and Salvation Army also provided assistance to the victim.
Ottawa Fire Service spokesperson Marc Messier said the fire began in a basement stairwell, spreading quickly to the second floor and into the attic.
The main floor was heavily damaged by the fire, with extensive damage extending into the second floor and roof.
Total damage was estimated at $500,000.
Richmond Road was closed between Westminster and Broadview avenues while firefighters tackled the blaze.
Ottawa fire officials are asking people to remove any remaining Christmas trees from their homes because they are likely very dry. The City of Ottawa is to start collecting the trees this week.
-With files from Mark Brownlee.
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