Around 6 a.m., crews were alerted to a fire in a four-story building at 206 King Street West.
Large volumes of smoke could be seen from the building.
“We found a fire on the first floor and started to experience intense and high heat. Smoke conditions were changing rapidly and due to the change in fire conditions we evacuated our crews for safety,” Fire Chief David Canliffe told reporters on stage.
Canlife said the building had previously been used for sanitary ware and shops and contained heavy wood inside, which contributed to the fire.
According to information, the building was to be converted into an apartment building.
The fire spread to all floors and was put on a third alarm, with about 45 firefighters at the scene at the height of the fire.
The crews launched a defensive attack and created three air units to attack the fire with large volumes of water.
“As we battled the fire from the side we had a structural collapse. We had walls on all four sides of the building falling. On the east side, (the wall) fell on the neighboring building. No one was injured in those collapses,” Canlif said. .
As a result of the partial collapse, large amounts of debris are scattered on King Street.
Canlife, meanwhile, said a fire broke out on the balcony of an apartment near 20 George Street and is believed to have started because of a fire in the building.
“Fire crews responded very quickly and we extinguished the fire with minimal damage to the balcony.”
No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters.
A nearby resident, who identified himself as Marwan, lived across the street from the building and said he woke up to the smell of smoke.
“I went to my balcony, I looked to the left and there was a huge fire in this building. I saw the police everywhere and the ambulance and it was really a huge building, so I do not know how (it was done). Because of the smoke I could not see anything, it was terrible, “he said.
Canlif said it was unknown where the fire started in the building and what caused it.
“At this point, this fire is still deep. We will be on stage for most of the day, if not the night. And we continue to have a structural collapse,” Cunliffe said.
Crews said smoke from the fire was migrating east and beyond the mountain.
Residents are advised to keep their windows closed.
The Fire Department is aware of the fire, but it is unknown if it will investigate.
As of Saturday afternoon, crews said most of the fire had been extinguished, but remained on the scene extinguishing the hot spots and clearing debris.
The closed roads in the area are expected to remain in force for the rest of the day.
Our crews are working on a multi-fire structure at 206 King St. W. Large empty building involved. The crews will be on the spot for quite some time. pic.twitter.com/4Jar6GvMsU
– Hamilton Fire Department (@HamiltonFireDep) June 18, 2022
