Overnight fire in Hamilton’s Corktown sends one to hospital

One person was taken to hospital without vital signs after a fire overnight at an apartment building in Hamilton’s Corktown neighbourhood.

The Hamilton Fire Department received a report shortly before 12:30 a.m. of a structure fire at an apartment building located at 151 Hughson St. South between Young St. and Forest Ave.

NEW | F22028280 | ALARM CONDITIONS | Loc: 100 Block HUGHSON ST S HAM @ YOUNG ST/FOREST AV /CN: VILLA MARIE TERRACE 4 | Units: E1,P1 | 11/28/22 00:27

— HamOnt Fire Dept (@HFD_Incidents) November 28, 2022

Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe said crews were able to see flames spouting from the back of the building when they arrived on scene.

The alert was immediately updated to be a second alarm fire to ensure additional resources across the city would respond.

The fire was centralized to the twelfth floor and firefighters located one person without vital signs in an apartment with high heat and heavy smoke conditions.

The person was removed from the building and transferred to the care of Hamilton paramedics before being transported to hospital.

The fire in the apartment was quickly brought under control, but not before there was significant damage sustained.

One additional tenant from the twelfth floor of the apartment building was also treated for possible smoke inhalation.

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has been requested to assist with the investigation given the nature of the incident.

There is no report at this time on the condition of the person taken to hospital.

Damage estimates are expected to be in the $300,000 range. All residents of the building who self evacuated during the fire are being returned to their apartments.