Tenant describes 'chaos' of major Overbrook fire

Tenants who once called an apartment building incentral Ottawa's Overbrook neighbourhood home are now trying to recover whatever belongings they can after a major fire Tuesday.

Firefighters respondingto the buildingon Presland Road near the Vanier Parkway around 5 p.m. found smoke billowing from the upper floors.

Ottawa police have since charged a 31-year-old Ottawa womanwitharson and attempted murderin connection with the fire.

George Mullins, who has lived in the building for about 20 years, recalled Wednesday as he stood in frontof the blackened apartment he called home fewer than 24 hours earlier the "chaos" of escaping his home.

"I'm still emotional right now," said Mullins.

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He said he waswatching TV in his unit whenthe fire alarm went off. That's when he ran to the balcony, looked up at the fourth floor and saw black smoke coming from a neighbour's window.

"I panicked and my TV was still on and I got my shoes on and I knocked on people's doors:'[It's] real this time. Get out, get out!'" he said.

Mullinswas able to make his way outside and saw firefighters climbing to the top floor to rescuefour people, including a child, who were trapped on their balcony. He said they were all screaming for help.

Neighbours began to gather outside and as Mullins looked up at the roof, he said all he could see were flames and smoke until fire crews successfully put out the blaze around 9 p.m.

Recovering belongings

Crews are now helping tenants recover whatever they can.

With tears in his eyes, Mullins said he came back to retrieve what was most important to him: personal documents, his reading glasses and "some picturesthat meant a lot." Most are of family throughout the years.

About 60 people have been displaced, according to fire officials. City officials said in an email they helped 40 peoplefrom 14 householdsfind emergency housing, clothing, foodand other services.

Police said the investigation into what happened is ongoing and no further details are available.

The building is owned by theCentretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC), a non-profit organization that provides housing for people with a moderate or low income.

Corporation officials said most tenants have turned to family and friends for support in the short term but there are questions about whether the city will eventually rebuild the apartment.

"There is a component of affordable housing," said Marjolaine Provostwith the Overbrook Community Association.

"It is an issue that we really feel in Overbrook because there's a high proportion of families, usually immigrant families. They need affordable housing and they need a lot of space as well."

Provost said the association is speakingwith city councillors and officials to discuss next steps.