Major Gatineau apartment fire forces 200 from homes

It's doubtful residents of a four-storey apartment building in Gatineau, Que., will be allowed back into their units today after a major blaze broke out this morning, fire officials say.

The Gatineau fire department was called to 420 Cité-des-Jeunes Blvd. at 10:30 a.m. ET on reports of flames and smoke rising from the 96-apartment building complex.

Due to the scale of the fire, Ottawa firefighters were called in to assist Gatineau's fire department. Once the flames were knocked down, crews used chainsaws to tear down parts of the walls and roof to check for hot spots.

One person was treated for smoke inhalation.

About half of the 96 units were damaged by the fire or from water used to put the blaze out, fire officials said. The Red Cross is providing food and shelter for the 200 residents, particularly the displaced who have no where else to spend the night.

While some people will be able to return to the building Friday, others may have to wait longer, fire officials said.

The building is across the street from Mont-Bleu High School and the Gabrielle-Roy campus of Cégep de l'Outaouais.

Students at Mont-Bleu High School were allowed to leave the building as a precaution but could stay inside if they wished. Cité-des-Jeunes Boulevard was shut down in both directions between Riel Boulevard and Talbot Street.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.