Five people — twins, their mother and a man, as well as a fire chief — are being treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out on the second floor of a high-rise building at 1465 Caldwell Ave on Saturday evening.
The twins and the fire chief were listed in serious but stable condition when they arrived at hospital, paramedics said. The twins’ mother and the man were treated for minor smoke inhalation.
Fire officials say there were multiple reports of flames on the second floor at about 4:45 p.m. Saturday, followed by 911 calls that children were trapped in an apartment.
Firefighters declared a second-alarm fire and the building was evacuated. Witnesses said they saw a woman bring an infant outside. A man rushed into the building, and “fainted” when he came out.
Residents of the building were offered shelter on OC Transpo buses while firefighters checked the building, said district fire Chief Marc Asselin. It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen.
Residents were allowed back into the building around 6 p.m. The apartment where the fire started was the only one damaged. A fire investigator has been called to the scene.
