Multiple-alarm fire at east end Hamilton apartment building

A multiple alarm fire at an apartment building in east end Hamilton has been extinguished with no injuries reported.

Fire crews were called to the building on Jerome Cres., near Centennial Pkwy. and Queenston Rd., around 10 a.m.

Fire officials say smoke was visible from a distance and they received numerous calls about it.

Crews arrived to heavy smoke and flames from the balconies of two units on the tenth floor.

The fire had originally started on a balcony and spread into the two apartments, said Hamilton Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe.

The occupants of those units were able to get out safely.

Just after 11:30 a.m. officials reported that the blaze was out.

There is approximately $300,000 worth of damage between the two apartments, with the contents on both balconies completely destroyed.

Officials suspect careless disposal of smoking material from balconies above the tenth floor caused the fire.