Fire destroys Arkledun Avenue home

A vacant central Hamilton home midway up the escarpment was reduced to rubble in an early-morning fire Saturday.

The fire department estimates the blaze did $700,000 in damage to the vacant home on Arkledun Avenue.

Approximately 30 firefighters worked through the early morning to get the fire under control," the department said in an email.

Arkledun Avenue connects with John Street South and St. Joseph's Drive before leading up the escarpment and curving into the Jolley Cut.

What caused the fire has yet to be determined, the department noted.

Reports indicated that the home was under renovations, but due to the volume of the fire on arrival crews were not able to confirm."

When firefighters arrived around 4:35 a.m., nobody was in the fully engulfed home, the department said.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the one home and prevent flames from spreading to the one next door.

That house was initially evacuated of its residents but they have since returned.

A few firefighters remained at the scene to monitor the rubble for any flare-ups.

Police said access to Arkledun would remain blocked for now.

Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com