Commercial Stove Blaze Forces ByWard Market Restaurant Closure
A significant fire at the popular Lone Star Texas Grill in Ottawa's historic ByWard Market has resulted in an indefinite closure of the establishment. The blaze, which originated from a large commercial stove, required extensive firefighting efforts before being declared under control.
Fire Discovery and Initial Response
Smoke was first observed at the top of the three-storey building located at the intersection of Dalhousie and George streets just before 10 a.m. on February 13, 2026. Ottawa Fire Services received an initial alert from a monitoring company reporting active fire alarms at the restaurant, followed by multiple 9-1-1 calls from individuals reporting visible smoke in the surrounding area.
Fire crews quickly arrived on scene and moved a hose line into the structure, where they discovered the fire concentrated in the restaurant's kitchen area. The flames were found to be originating from a large commercial stove and extending up the rear wall into the ventilation system, creating a challenging firefighting scenario.
Complex Firefighting Operations
Firefighters initially attempted to suppress the blaze using a CO2 extinguisher but determined this method was insufficient for the scale of the fire. They subsequently deployed a hose line to combat the flames directly. To address the fire extension into the ventilation system, crews utilized an aerial ladder to access the roof, allowing them to extinguish the fire within the ventilation system from above.
Early concerns about potential occupants led to two thorough searches of the building, both confirming that all individuals had safely evacuated. No injuries were reported during the incident, a fact confirmed by fire officials on scene.
Containment and Safety Measures
The fire was officially declared under control at 10:16 a.m., with damage contained to the commercial stove and associated ventilation systems. Following extinguishment, firefighters conducted extensive ventilation operations using high-pressure fans to remove residual smoke from the building.
Air quality monitoring was performed throughout the ventilation process, with authorities confirming safe conditions before allowing office workers from adjacent businesses to re-enter the building. A health inspector attended the scene as standard procedure following any commercial kitchen fire.
Investigation and Ongoing Impact
An investigator has been dispatched to determine the exact cause of the fire, which remains under examination. The restaurant, housed in a building containing multiple businesses, is expected to remain closed for an undetermined period while damage assessment and repairs are completed.
This incident highlights the potential hazards associated with commercial kitchen equipment and the importance of proper fire safety protocols in restaurant operations. The successful containment prevented what could have been a more extensive fire affecting the entire historic market district.
