A late night kitchen fire in downtown Ottawa has left six people temporarily homeless.

Emergency crews responded to 506 Rideau Street near Augusta just before 11 p.m. Thursday night to the Famous Frenchy's restaurant.

Residents living above the restaurant, who have now had to leave their apartments, noticed smoke and heard alarms coming from downstairs.

At first, firefighters suspected a grill was left on. But when they inspected further they found the blaze began in the basement kitchen.

Firefighters extinguished the fire within an hour. Damage is estimated at $110,000.

The cause is still under investigation.