A temporary lockdown has been put in place in Ottawa after a fire at a house on the west side of the city broke out on Monday.
A resident called 911 and authorities later determined the fire was set by a man who was asleep in the house.
The house has since been cleared and the building’s residents have been allowed back in.
The lockdown will last until the end of the day.
Emergency crews were called to the fire at the home around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, according to Ottawa Fire and Emergency Services.
They found a large fire burning inside.
It quickly went under control, Ottawa Fire Chief Robert McCrory said.
A large fire was burning inside a house in Ottawa.
The fire was quickly extinguished and no one was injured, according a tweet from the emergency services.
No one was allowed inside the house during the lockdown, but people were allowed out around 7 a..m., Ottawa Fire said.
The area was cordoned off, but the fire continued to burn.
“It is our intention to maintain the lockdown until all residents have returned home,” the tweet said.
An Ottawa fire department spokesperson said the fire is not suspicious and no charges have been laid.
Residents at the house said they were unaware of the lockdown and said they’re glad to be able to return to their homes.
“We just thought it was a little scary, that we were in a house fire,” one woman said.
“This is really the first time in my life I’m back home, and I think we can come out in a better state,” said another woman.
“You feel so safe, you feel safe being in your own home.”
The house, which is owned by a family of five, is owned and managed by an elderly couple.
The couple, who were not identified, have lived in the property for at least a decade.
They did not respond to CBC News’ request for comment.
Residents who were able to get inside the building were told to leave the property and not to return.
“People are scared,” said one woman who was evacuated from the home.
“I didn’t know how to get out of the house.”
Residents at a neighbouring property said they had to lock down because the house had a “mishap.”
“I think the house was just too big,” said resident John Smith.
“So, we locked it down, and then we moved to another place.
I guess we’re not allowed to get in the same house anymore, and that’s where we’re staying.”
The man who set the fire, who is not believed to have a criminal record, has not been charged with a crime, police said.
SOURCE: CBC News, CBC News (CAN)