Hamilton fire battles multiple-alarm blaze in west harbour neighbourhood

Smoke from a multiple-alarm fire could be seen throughout central Hamilton on Thursday.

Hamilton fire says crews were dispatched to blaze at two-storey house on Murray Street West - near the West Harbour GO Station and just off James Street North - around 3 p.m. on Thursday.

First-arriving crews reported heavy smoke and flames visible on multiple levels, including the roof, of a two-storey home and that flames were impinging on a row of homes immediately to the west," Chief Dave Cunliffe said in a release.

Crews began to extinguish flames, while conducting a search-and-rescue in the home. Since the fire had broken through the roof," crews used an aerial ladder to attack the flames.

Photos from the scene show a firefighter on a ladder attacking flames on the roof, which was covered with debris, and a charred second storey.

Cunliffe said the fire was brought under control within 20 minutes, stopping its spread to neighbouring homes.

There was no one in the home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

Power was shut off in the area due to high-voltage" hydro lines on the street in front of the house, but has since been restored, Cunliffe said.

He said the house suffered significant damage on all levels," estimated to be atleast $300,000.

It is believed that the fire started on the exterior of the building and extended into the house," he said.

Cunliffe did not say what caused the fire.

Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com