Eleven people are in hospital – two of whom are in critical condition – following a multiple-alarm fire at the YMCA in downtown Hamilton early Monday afternoon.

Police spokesperson Krista-Lee Ernst said officers and the fire department received reports of smoke in the building located near the intersection of James and Jackson streets around 12:30 p.m.

First responders quickly discovered the blaze in a unit on the third floor.

“We had heavy smoke conditions on the third, fourth and fifth floors,” said Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe.

“We also had multiple people hanging out the windows. The alarm was upgraded to a third-alarm at that point.”

One YMCA resident told CHCH News that the hallways were black with smoke and all the lights were out. Another member said she initially thought it was a fire drill.

Eighteen fire trucks were on the scene and more than 65 firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. Twenty-four people were rescued from the building that houses 174 men.

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Paramedics brought 11 people to hospital for smoke inhalation. Ernst said two people remain there in critical condition.

Fire crews have determined that it is not safe for residents to return to their units. The building is expected to be closed for at least 48 hours due to the damage.

The Red Cross is now helping YMCA staff with setting up an emergency evacuation shelter in the primary and auxiliary gyms at the YMCA. The Red Cross is also providing 175 sleeping cots and hygiene kits for displaced residents.

James Street South has since re-opened after it was closed in both directions between Hunter and Main streets as Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal investigated the cause of the blaze.

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