Dozen homeless after downtown fire

At least a dozen people are left homeless after an early-morning fire raged at a rooming house at 85 Park St., off Elgin, Wednesday.

According to media reports, Ottawa firefighters had to rescue one man from a third-floor window. He suffered minor smoke-inhalation and has been transferred to the Ottawa Hospital’s General campus.

No other injuries were reported.

The fire has caused an estimated $75,000 in damage and is believed to have started in a second-floor bathroom. An investigation is underway.

The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are providing temporary housing for the residents.