Roofers sparked accidental ByWard Market fire, chief says

The fire that heavily damaged a restaurant and adjacent buildings in Ottawa's ByWard Market on Friday was "accidental and preventable," according to Ottawa's fire chief.

In an update in front of 35 William St. on Monday afternoon, ChiefKim Ayottesaid the joint investigation by Ottawa Fire Services and the Office of the Fire Marshal has determined the blaze began on the northeast corner of the building's roof, where roofing work was underway.

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"The cause wasofficially determined to be accidental and preventable as a result of the roofing activities that were taking placeon the roof of 35 William St." Ayotte said.

More than 100 firefighters responded to the fire atVittoria Trattoriaafter the call came in around 11:20 Friday.

Ottawa fire chief says ByWard Market fire was 'preventable'

6 years ago

Duration 0:30

Kim Ayotte says "roofing activities" taking place before the fire on William Street caused the blaze.

Firefighters were soon told to evacuatethe building when the flames intensified.As ladder crews attempted to douse the flames from above, the fire spread rapidly across the adjoining rooftops.

No one was injured.

The flames werefinally brought under control just before 3 p.m. An early estimate pegged the damage at more than $2 million.

While the City of Ottawa couldn't say precisely when the building housingVittoria Trattoria was constructed, it dates back to at least 1872.

In an interview with CBCRadio's Ottawa Morning on Monday, restaurant ownerDomenic Santaguida said the building is being turned over to insurers.

You can listen to the full interview below.