Fire in Waterloo’s University District forces dozens to evacuate
Four people have been displaced after what investigators are calling an accidental fire in Waterloo’s University District.
The flames are believed to have started inside a unit on the second floor of a six-storey apartment building on Marshall Street.
Firefighters were called to the scene just before 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
“My friend Emma actually saw the smoke and it was just thick black smoke and it smelled terrible, not good,” said Mackenzie Mitchell, who lives in the building.
Alessia Ditrani was the one who pulled the fire alarm
“I went outside and there were just girls panicking and they go, 'call 911' and my friend was like, 'oh my god, actually?' And they're like 'yeah, there’s a big fire.' So they called 911 and I pulled the fire alarm,” said Ditrani.
Most of the tenants in the six-story apartment building are students. Everyone was forced to evacuate.
Most have since been let back in, except for the four people who live in the unit where the fire began.
Emergency services briefly closed Marshall Street between Weber Street North and Regina Street North as firefighters responded.
Officials said it’s fortunate the students paid attention to the warning signs, and exited the building.
“It’s so important when you get into these community living, or student living type establishments that we really pay attention to all warning symbols in our building and don’t take anything for granted,” said Jake Herring, deputy chief with Waterloo Fire.
Fire officials haven't released an official cause of the fire, but said it is believed to be accidental.
The damage from the fire is estimated at about $25,000.
Police are warning motorists to expect delays in the area. (Terry Kelly/CTV Kitchener)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
