Fire at onion farm causes extensive damage

A fire at an onion growing operation in Copetown, a rural neighbourhood in Hamilton, has caused extensive damage.

Thick grey smoke could be seen billowing from a distance.

Dozens of fire crews were called just before 7 this morning for a structure fire on Concession 2 West just east of Brantford.

“First arriving crews found a well involved fire in the attic area and roof area of the structure. It’s a commercial structure with offices in the front and warehouse in the back.”

The building is listed as Gordon Forth Farms Limited.

Hamilton Fire Chief David Cunliffe says the property functions as an onion growing operation.

“The fire had extended right across the roof. Because this is a metal clad building very difficult. The fire was becoming trapped inside and moving in the wall area.”

He says fire fighters had to be pulled out and continued to fight the fire in a defensive operation using two aerial trucks.

“This is an area where there are no hydrants so we were able to bring in tankers to shuttle water but then we also have access to a water irrigation pond in the rear of this property.”

It allows crews to pump large amounts of water through the aerial system to fight the fire.

“Crews are using saws to cut it and then pry it open. We have to get the metal off so we can get to the trapped fire.”

And the wind didn’t help.

“As the roof gets opened up the wind fans the fire so we’re doing what we can to cut the fire off.”

Cunliffe says fortunately, no one was working in the building at the time the fire started and there were no injuries reported.

“We’ve got approximately 13 vehicles on scene of which 4 are from the full time area of the city.”

Fire fighters have yet to determine what cause the blaze.

Crews worked most of the day to put out hot spots. Cunliffe says damage is estimated at $450,000.