Fire causes over $1M in damages to Ancaster insurance business

A multiple-alarm fire has caused over $1 million in damages to a commercial and residential building in Ancaster Tuesday afternoon.

Hamilton Fire Department Chief Dave Cunliffe says over 50 crew members battled the blaze that started around 1 p.m. in the basement of the one-storey building that houses BrokerLink insurance on the main floor and a rental unit below.

He says firefighters had to get out of the building for their own safety as the fire rapidly spread, causing the roof to collapse and significant damage.

Three people from the insurance business and one person in the basement apartment evacuated the building at 293 Wilson St. East prior to firefighters arriving, according to a release from the fire department.

There have been no reported injuries to the building occupants or firefighters.

Crews are battling a multiple alarm fire at a commercial building. Heavy smoke and fire on arrival. Crews are operating defensively at this time. We’ll be on scene for some time. #HamOnt #StrongForYou pic.twitter.com/NiBBKLAckx

— Hamilton Fire Department (@HamiltonFireDep) January 17, 2023

A dozen units brought the fire under control within an hour.

Cunliffe says the cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.

The Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified.

Fire crews are expected to remain at the scene Tuesday evening to extinguish hot spots.

Hamilton police said Wilson St. is closed in both directions from Sulphur Springs Rd. to Halson St. and asked people to avoid the area.

2023-01-17 13:21:18 ROAD RESTRICTION: #Ancaster Wilson St CLOSED from Sulphur Springs Rd to Halson St in boh directions #HamOnt

— HPS_Traffic (@hps_traffic) January 17, 2023