Firefighters spent hours on the scene of an overnight fire that ripped through CTV Ottawa's newsroom and caused more than $2.5 million in damage. Flames began on the second floor of the Merivale Road building sometime before 4:30 Sunday morning.
It took 70 firefighters and 18 fire trucks more than two hours to bring the blaze under control. $2.5 million is a preliminary estimate however damage could be much higher due to the building's expensive content.
An overnight security guard was working when the blaze broke out. He suffered no injuries and no other injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is unknown. An ongoing investigation means it could be days before staff can return. However, plans to continue production from the A Channel building in the Byward Market are moving forward.
" The newsroom hosts several workstations for reporters, producers, editorial staff and video editors. It means several computers, televisions, phones and personal belongings would have been destroyed in the fire.
Among the devastating property losses are the local news archives of this city's history and the 37-year video history of anchor Max Keeping who is set to retire on April 1.