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Arson detectives were investigating after one firefighter was injured early Wednesday morning as flames ripped through two building on Clarence Street in the ByWard Market.

Shortly after 4:15 a.m., a 911 call reported a fire near 230 Murray St. When Ottawa firefighters arrived on scene, the found flames were coming from a building at 215 Clarence St., one block south.

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Crews faced “heavy fire conditions” and quickly escalated the call to a two-alarm fire, Ottawa Fire Service said. The blaze had also spread to an adjacent building.

Two hundred residents evacuated the adjacent apartment building and were placed in OC Transpo buses for shelter.

Shortly before 5 a.m., Ottawa fire said crews were using an “offensive attack” to fight flames at one of the buildings.

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Ottawa Citizen

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Ottawa Citizen

The roof of at least one building caved in from the blaze, according to tweets from a fire official on scene.

There were no reported civilian injuries, but one firefighter suffered minor injuries.

An Ottawa fire investigator was on scene, and the Ottawa police arson unit was requested.

Ottawa police closed roads due to the fire.

Street closures were in effect on Cumberland Street between Murray and York streets and on Clarence Street between King Edward Avenue and Dalhousie Street.

The blaze was brought under control at around 8 a.m. The building was deemed a total loss.

A firefighter was also injured in a previous blaze at 215 Clarence St. on Oct. 7, 2012. That fire caused about $200,000 damage.

Photo by Google