$1.5 million in fire damage from Hamilton blazes reported 6 minutes apart

Hamilton | Fire | Latest News |

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Published March 15, 2023 at 8:37 pm

One person was taken to hospital in critical condition this afternoon during one of two major blazes that firefighters in Hamilton contended with in a matter of minutes.

The Hamilton Fire Department estimates that a residential fire at 275 Wilson St. caused in excess of $500,000 damage. Firefighters and paramedics found a person on the main floor of the building and performed what are described as “life-saving measures” before they were taken to a hospital in critical condition.

That fire was reported to HFD at 4:36 p.m. today (March 15). Six minutes prior, at 4:30 p.m., a structure fire at 1829 Regional Rd. 97 near Kirkwall Road was also reported. Damages from that blaze is pegged at more than $1 million and the suspected cause is welding that was being done onside, said HFD Chief Dave Cunliffe.

Cunliffe added that the Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified about the blaze at 275 Wilson. The cause of that fire is not yet determined and the building sustained serious damage.

“First arriving crews reported heavy smoke showing from a two-storey residence,” Cunliffe wrote in a statement on Wednesday night. “Crews who had entered the residence to initiate search-and-rescue and fire-suppression operations advised there was fire on all floors and in the walls of the building.

“During the search operations firefighters found a person on the main floor and removed them to the exterior where life saving measures were performed by both Firefighters and Paramedics. The patient was then transported in critical condition to the hospital. The fire was quickly knocked down, but not before causing significant damage to the interior of the residence, including holes through both the first and second floors.

“Two cats were also recovered and turned over to the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals).”

The other fire did not result in injuries, but an approximately 6,000-sq.ft.storage building where the fire started is a “total loss.” Chief Cunliffe said the blaze was “well involved” by the time crews from the Rockton Station arrived. There were no fire hydrants in the area, so volunteer firefighting crews and crews from four other stations were activated to get water to the front lines.

“Responding crews from the Rockton Station reported that a large volume of black smoke could be seen from a distance,” Cunliffe wrote. “… Given that this address was in a non-hydrant area an additional two volunteer stations were dispatched, along with the initial four stations so that six tankers could be utilized to shuttle water back and forth to the scene. Firefighters quickly went to work to protect another large warehouse-style structure that was in close proximity and was having fire impingement. T

“There were three tractor trailers and an additional transport trailer in this unit. They were successful and the building only suffered minor damage. The main body of fire in the fire building was brought under control in approximately 40 minutes. There have been no reports of injuries and fire crews are continuing to extinguish hot spots.

“Welding was being done onsite and is the suspected cause,” Cunliffe added.

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