Landmark fire

A fire broke out in one of Hamilton’s tallest apartment building over the dinner hour Tuesday. Residents were evacuated from Landmark place and city streets were closed off as fire crews got the blaze under control.

After discovering a fire in his apartment, one resident Samir Sidahmed literally left with just the clothes on his back, not even having time to grab a pair of shoes.
a cigarette from their balcony or something, and it came into my balcony and next thing you know my whole apartment is in flames.”

More than a dozen fire crews were on the scene to battle the blaze on the 16th floor. The hot temperatures both inside and outside the building made it a challenge to fight.

The fire was contained to just one unit in the old Century 21 building, now know as Landmark Place. Most residents left the building, waiting on the other side of the road, while fire officials investigated.

Said one resident, Husam Shwaikh.

“The problem is we usually have a lot of false alarms, so I didn’t take it seriously. Then I start smelling smoke so I asked my sister if she was cooking anything and she says no. I go out and look at the balcony and see the smoke coming out of this side and then I realize it’s a real fire.

It was several hours before the parts of Main street were re-opened to the public and before residents were allowed back in the 43 storey building. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.