A two-alarm fire has destroyed the walls of a three-storey town home in Barrhaven early Wednesday morning, but emergency responders say the building was safely evacuated.

Fire crews responded at 4:59 a.m. to 307 Elite Private after receiving several calls about visible flames and smoke.

Nathalie Danis, who lives across the street from the townhome, says she woke up to what she thought was the sound of loud rainfall. But when she saw the bright orange light shine into her room, she realized it was a fire.

"The whole back end was engulfed, the balconies were starting to buckle down, it was just big orange flame," she said.

Fire crews brought the fire under control at about 5:45 a.m. but remain on the scene. Eight people in four damaged units were displaced as a result of the fire.

A 34-year-old woman was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital.

Ottawa Police, Ottawa Paramedics, Enbridge Gas and Ottawa Hydro were also at the scene to assist.