The four-alarm fire that tore through two buildings on Somerset Street West Wednesday morning damaged four businesses and left four residents displaced.
An investigation by Ottawa Fire Services and the Ontario Fire Marshal found that roofers accidentally caused the fire while working on the roof of The Daily Grind, a coffee shop located at 601 Somerset Street W.
No injuries were reported, though the investigation found over $1 million in damages.
The fire spread from the roof of The Daily Grind into the neighbouring building, which houses the Middle East Bakery and Shiraz, a Middle Eastern grocer. Dark Cloud Tattoo Studio, located nearby on Percy Street, was also damaged.
Bob Rainboth, Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson, says that some residences along Percy Street were damaged by the high volume of water that was needed to combat the blaze.
Though all businesses and residences within the two buildings were completely destroyed, Rainboth says firefighters were able to save the sign from the front of Middle East Bakery, a family-owned business.
“There’s not many good sides of this incident,” says Rainboth, “but this one here is a small piece of sentiment that will go a long way for the owner.”
Concern for those affected by the fire is spreading through Ottawa. Two crowd-funding campaigns have already been launched to help victims of the fire. They can be found here and here.
At House of Targ, an Old Ottawa South bar known for its perogies and extensive collection of pinball machines, a massage therapist is planning her own form of fundraising.
Christine Northan is a registered massage therapist at Sage Wellness, a massage clinic located on Gladstone Avenue. She regularly performs hand and wrist massages at pinball tournaments at House of Targ.
At the upcoming tournament on Oct. 28, Northan will sell her massage services from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and donate her proceeds to help victims of the fire.