Larry O’Brien

By 9:36 am on January 1st, I had started to see email traffic about a fire at the Radisson Hotel. The City of Ottawa’s Emergency Response team had already kicked into full gear in order to support the 105 guests that were forced to flee and find refuge from the fire. In an attempt to find immediate shelter for these guests, the City staff at Jack Purcell Recreational Centre opened their doors to the evacuated guests. This emergency response effort was supported by staff from police, fire, paramedics, Emergency Social Services and City Security, along with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, all of which were fully engaged in the provision of food, shelter, clothing and all related support services.

 I visited Jack Purcell around 1:00 PM and saw the results of the hard work and dedication by so many City staff and volunteers.  As I talked to the evacuees it was clear that despite the shock of being evacuated to a City recreational centre they all felt safe.  Some needed medicine, some needed assurance that their belongings were secure, and all needed to feel safe after the events of the morning.  It was clear that City staff were reacting in a manner that was accomplishing each of these goals. Well done to all!!!

While many of the evacuees shared their stories with me, I specifically remember one exhausted young man who shared a story of incredible bravery. This young man and his girlfriend were on the second floor where the thick black smoke was at its worst. Smelling smoke, he opened the door to the hall only to have his once insulated room fill up with choking black smoke. The strong young man had to go to great lengths to smash the window, failing the first time, and then smashing a chair continuously to break the window and escape the suffocating smoke.  These windows are not designed to break easily.

After he and his friend escaped and were standing on the connected roof they noticed faces in three other hotel room windows.  The people in these other rooms were trying to breathe fresh air having been unable to break the windows themselves. This brave young man went on to break all three windows and helped these people escape. The City of Ottawa thanks you for saving lives on that unfortunate morning and we thank all other heroes whose courageous acts prevented further tragedy.

Five people were injured in the fire that may have been intentionally set.  The City wishes you all a speedy recovery and God speed home.