Three people are dead, including two children, after a fire tore through an apartment unit in central Hamilton on Sunday morning, the city’s fire chief says.
The blaze broke out on the first floor of one of the Pier Towers Apartments at 35 Brock St., which is near John and Catharine streets, shortly after 10:15 a.m.
Images shared to social media from the scene appeared to show heavy black smoke billowing from the building, as some people watched from their balconies.
Hamilton Fire Chief David Cunliffe said crews arrived and were immediately met with heavy smoke in the hallways and stairwells, along with multiple people struggling to exit the building.
“We were then performing rescues and assisting people out of the stairwell and the hallways down to the ground floors,” he said.
Hamilton Fire Department (HFD) said in a news release that firefighters at the scene reported heavy smoke and flames visible venting from a second-floor apartment.
They said that there were also reports that two children may still been inside the apartment affected by the fire, which was quickly upgraded to multiple alarms “bringing additional resources from across the City to the scene.” In the end, it was deemed a three-alarm incident with more than 60 firefighters attending the scene.
Cunliffe said crews eventually reached the affected unit on the first floor and found flames shooting out into the hall.
“When the firefighters got to the first floor, to the apartment, we had fire blowing out of the apartment into the hallway,” he said.
“Extreme heat, extreme smoke, extreme flame. Firefighters, tried to get into the apartment. They were, forced back.”
“Under extreme conditions,” crews “pushed their way into the apartment and knocked down the fire,” which heavily damaged the unit and the hallway, Hamilton fire said.
“Unfortunately, I have to report that we have two children who have perished in this fire. And we have an adult that’s also perished in this fire,” Cunliffe said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the affected folks.”
It’s not yet clear whether those who died in the fire are related.
Paramedics said a total of 12 people were transported to the hospital, one of them without vital signs and four others in serious condition.
Four people were also assessed at the scene, but did not want to be taken to hospital, they said.
Those injured in the fire range in age from a one-month-old baby to a 77-year-old senior.
No firefighters were injured in the response, the chief noted.
Some of the residents who had to clear out will not be able to return to their homes today.
“The fire has caused significant damage to the fire apartment and also to the first floor,” Cunliffe said.
“We are not going to be able to let people back into the first floor.”
He said the Red Cross is working to provide temporary shelter second-floor tenants who have been displaced.
Hamilton Street Railway buses have also been brought in to shelter those who had to evacuate their home.
In a post on social media, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath called today’s fatal fire “absolutely devastating.”
“My heart goes out to the victims’ families and all those impacted,” she wrote.
“I’m grateful for the bravery of our first responders and the community’s support during this heartbreaking time. We will be there for all those affected.”
Absolutely devastating news – three lives tragically lost in a morning fire at 35 Brock St, including two children. My heart goes out to the victims’ families & all impacted. Grateful for the bravery of our first responders & community support. We will be there for all affected.
— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) January 26, 2025
It’s not yet clear how the fatal fire started, nor the cost of the damages.
The investigation is continuing, HFD said.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has been notified, Cunliffe said.
Nearby traffic is affected because of the fire and Hamilton police are advising people to avoid the area.
This is a breaking news story. More details to come.
