An empty commercial building in downtown Hamilton partially collapsed after a fire destroyed the area on Saturday morning.
At around 6 a.m., crews received a fire alert in a four-story 20th-century building on 206 King Street West.
Large volumes of smoke could be seen from the building.
“We discovered a fire on the first floor and began to feel strong and intense heat. “Smoke conditions were changing rapidly, and due to the change in fire conditions, we took our crews out for their safety,” David Cunliff told reporters at the fire center. scene.
Cunliff said the building had previously been used for health and shopping facilities and contained heavy lumber inside, which contributed to the intensity of the fire.
The building was reportedly planned to be converted into a residential building.
The fire spread to all floors and was raised to a third alarm, with about 45 firefighters present at the scene in the midst of the blaze.
The crews launched a defensive attack and formed three air units to attack the fire with large amounts of water.
“While we were fighting the fire from the country, we had a structural collapse. We had collapsed walls on all four sides of the building. On the east side, it (the wall) collapsed on the next building. No one was injured in the crashes, “said Canliff.
As a result of the partial collapse, large amounts of debris were scattered on King Street.
Cunliff, meanwhile, said a fire broke out on the balcony of an apartment at 20 George Street and was believed to have started because of the embers of the building.
“Firefighters reacted very quickly and we put out the fire with minimal damage to the balcony.”
No civilians or firefighters were reported injured.
A nearby resident, who introduced himself as Marvan, lives opposite the building and said he woke up to the smell of smoke.
“I went to my balcony, looked to the left and there was a big fire in this building. I saw police everywhere and an ambulance and it was a really huge building, so I don’t know how (it happened). Because of the smoke I couldn’t see anything. It was awful, “he said.
Cunliff said it was unknown where the fire broke out in the building and what caused it.
“At this point, the fire is still deep. We will be on site for most of the day, if not by evening. And we continue to have a structural collapse,” Cunliff said.
The crews said the smoke from the fire migrated east and through the mountains.
Residents are advised to keep their windows closed.
The fire marshal’s office is aware of the fire, but it is unknown whether they will investigate.
As of Saturday afternoon, teams said most of the fire had been put out, but they remained on site, extinguishing hotspots and cleaning up debris.
The closed roads in the area are expected to remain in force until the end of the day.
Our crews are working in the event of a fire from multiple alarm structures at 206 King St. W. A large empty building is well mixed. The teams will be on site for a while. pic.twitter.com/4Jar6GvMsU
– Hamilton Fire Service (@HamiltonFireDep) June 18, 2022
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