Fire Forces Tenants to Evacuate Building at 200 Bay Street South

HAMILTON, ON - The Hamilton Fire Department responded to a report of fire in a 24 storey high-rise apartment building located at 200 Bay Street South, Hamilton at approximately 7:09 am this morning.

Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed a working fire in an apartment on the 4th floor of the building with smoke venting from a window on the east side and smoke throughout the 4th floor. A multiple alarm was then initiated to bring additional fire crews to the scene to assist in suppression operations.

Firefighters immediately initiated a search of the apartment and initiated an aggressive fire attack. Firefighters were able to successfully knock the fire down thereby limiting fire damage to the one apartment unit. Crews immediately started ventilation procedures in order to clear the building of smoke and all residents of the building have returned to their apartment units except for the fire unit.

The two occupants who had been in the apartment were able to evacuate the unit and one required assistance from firefighters to get to the ground floor. Both occupants were assessed by Hamilton Paramedics and released. There were no other reported injuries.

Damage is estimated at approximately $50,000 and the suspected cause of the fire is carless smoking. The occupants of the apartment will not be able to reoccupy their apartment at this time and Red Cross has been called to assist the tenants in finding alternate accommodations.

The Hamilton Fire Department would like to remind citizens that careless use of and disposal of smoker’s materials is consistently one of the leading causes of fires in the City of Hamilton and with this in mind we ask that if you choose to smoke, ensure that you do so responsibly and have an appropriate container to safely extinguish the article.

For more information on fire safety, contact our Fire Prevention Division at 905 546-2424 ext. 1380, weekdays between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm or visit at www.hamilton.ca/fire.