On Thursday, July 17th, 2025, at 8:32 p.m., the Ottawa Fire Department responded to a report of an explosion with damage to the rear of the building located at 1504 Poplar St, Festivities Unlimited, owned by the Ottawa Dental Lab.
The first engine arrived on scene at 8:36 pm, and crews found a single-story commercial building with an active fire in the building and smoke venting from the roof. The first arriving engine company performed an offensive attack on the fire through the front door. The first arriving truck company performed ventilation and assisted in the fire attack.
By 8:44 p.m., the fire was under control, but firefighters continued with salvage, overhaul, and investigative operations. Fortunately, no civilians or firefighters were harmed in the incident.
After obtaining statements from the owners of the building, along with preliminary observations by the Ottawa Fire Department, it was determined the cause of the fire was accidental. The origin of the fire was located in the rear of the structure; a device used in the dental field to recycle isopropyl alcohol malfunctioned and ruptured causing the explosion and resulting fire.
The Ottawa Fire Department received support from several agencies, including the Ottawa Police Department, Ottawa Central Dispatch, Naplate Fire Department, Wallace Fire Department, Marseilles Fire Department, Mars