Hamilton apartment fire leaves tenant in ‘grave-to-critical condition’

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Published April 10, 2023 at 10:09 am

Hamilton fire department

A tenant at a downtown Hamilton apartment is in “grave-to-critical condition,” according to officials, after fire and heavy smoke gutted parts of the 18-storey building.

Fire crews responded to an alarm at 95 Hess St. South at 2 a.m. on Sunday and reported “a smell of smoke in the main floor lobby.”

It was when firefighters arrived on the seventh floor of the building that smoke could be seen coming from one of the units.

“Firefighters made entry reporting and reported heavy smoke and high heat in the fire unit,” according to Hamilton Fire Chief David Cunliffe. “The alarm was upgraded to a multiple-alarm, bringing resources from across the city to the scene.”

Crews found an individual inside the unit and transported them to the building lobby, where paramedics performed life-saving measures.

hamilton fire department apartment 95 hess injured

Officials say the individual sustained severe burn injuries and was transported to a local hospital before being transferred to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, which is home to Ross Tilley Burn Centre.

No other injuries were reported, and while the fire did spread to other floors, tenants at the geared-to-income building were reportedly evacuated in time.

Hamilton Fire says the investigation has been turned over to the Ontario fire marshall.

No damage estimate was provided.

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