Bank Street, a major road in Ottawa, was closed to traffic on Tuesday afternoon due to a fire that broke out in a small mall. The incident caused chaos and disruption in the area, as emergency services rushed to the scene to contain the blaze.
According to reports, the fire started around 2:30 pm in a store located in the mall at the intersection of Bank Street and Sunnyside Avenue. Thick black smoke could be seen billowing out of the building, and witnesses reported hearing loud explosions.
The Ottawa Fire Services arrived at the scene within minutes and quickly began to tackle the fire. They were assisted by the Ottawa Police Service, who closed off Bank Street between Sunnyside Avenue and Riverdale Avenue to ensure the safety of the public.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far. However, the extent of the damage caused by the fire is still unknown. The cause of the fire is also under investigation.
The closure of Bank Street caused major traffic delays in the area, with many commuters being forced to find alternate routes. The Ottawa Transit Commission also had to reroute several bus routes that usually run along Bank Street.
The fire was eventually brought under control, and the road was reopened to traffic around 5:00 pm. However, the mall remains closed as authorities continue to assess the damage and investigate the cause of the fire.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety measures and the swift response of emergency services in such situations. We urge the public to remain vigilant and follow all safety protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
In conclusion, the fire at the small mall on Bank Street caused significant disruption and traffic delays, but thankfully, no injuries were reported. The road has since been reopened, but the mall remains closed as authorities investigate the cause of the fire. We will continue to provide updates on this developing story.