Fire forces Nunavut residents out of Ottawa isolation hub
“The fire was contained inside the appliance”
An Ottawa Fire Services vehicle is parked outside the Residence Inn by Marriott at 1172 Walkley Rd. in Ottawa on Tuesday afternoon, as many Nunavut residents in isolation mill around outside. Firefighters were on the scene after smoke led to an evacuation of the hotel. (Photo by Frank Reardon)
Smoke from food burning in a microwave caused the evacuation of the Residence Inn by Marriott at 1172 Walkley Rd. on Tuesday afternoon.
The Residence Inn is where many Nunavut residents are currently staying as they complete a required two-week isolation stay before heading north, as part of the Nunavut government’s effort to keep COVID-19 out of the territory.
The Ottawa Fire Services said that it received a call from an alarm company at 4:41 p.m. reporting a fire alarm at 1172 Walkley Rd.
Day #9 Quarantine – Fire Alarm ? going off. Everyone evacuating building#FranksQuarantine2020 pic.twitter.com/YXWQXjiGA7
— Frank Reardon Photos (@FrankReardon1) September 29, 2020
“Subsequent information from staff on site advised our firefighters there was smoke in the hallway on the second floor coming from one of the units,” said Ottawa Fire Services’ spokesperson Carson Tharris.
Firefighters entered the building and discovered burnt food inside a microwave, he said.
“The fire was contained inside the appliance, and firefighters ventilated the smoke from the unit and hallways before allowing occupants to return at 5:16 p.m.,” he said.
Staff at the hotel set up some chairs and handed out blankets, while Nunavut guests at the hotel waited outside until they were allowed back in.
All rooms occupied by Nunavut residents in isolation contain microwaves, and some have full kitchens.
Food often arrives cold or tepid, hotel guests in isolation have told Nunatsiaq News, so they say they are obliged to heat up their meals.
So all those isolationists after mingling amongst themselves and the members of the fire department have to start their 14 days all over again??
I wonder if they will have to restart their isolation, and if they don’t what risk does it pose to the communities when they return….
when will this waste of money gong show end? if your scared of your shadow ..stay home ..let the rest of us get our lives back..
Given the surge in new cases in Ontario and Quebec expect the hubs to remain in place until after Christmas at least.