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Firefighters cleared the scene just after 11 a.m., leaving the investigation of what’s being considered a suspicious fire in the hands of Sgt. Dave Christie and his city police arson unit team.

There was no immediate explanation as to why the specialized investigators had taken over.

Fire service spokeswoman Danielle Cardinal said that crews battled a “very intense” blaze with challenges including preventing it from spreading to nearby homes and business, the safe evacuation of the building and the quick spread of flames.

Ottawa Fire Services had reported earlier that neighbours called 911 at 2:38 a.m. after hearing a loud bang.

Fire crews declared a working fire at 2:45 a.m. and at 3 a.m. officers ordered crews to leave the building and launch a defensive attack from outside.

“The building was compromised and the safety of the firefighters was the paramount issue,” Cardinal said, with concerns that it would collapse.

Firefighters were also working in temperatures as low as -19 C so OC Transpo dispatched a bus where they could warm up between shifts fighting the flames then making sure no hot spots remained in the wreckage.

A woman and child who live in a building next door will be temporarily displaced while their home is assessed for smoke damage and gas and electricity restored.

Photo by Scott Stilborn / Twitter

Photo by Tony Caldwell / Postmedia

Photo by Tony Caldwell / Postmedia

Photo by Tony Caldwell / Postmedia

Coun. Jeff Leiper took to Twitter to express his sadness, describing Allium as “an anchor in our community.”