McMaster University residence fire causes an estimated $250K in damages

Hamilton police are investigating a blaze at a McMaster University residence Saturday afternoon that caused an estimated $250,000 in damages.

Crews responded to a fire in a large four-bedroom apartment at Bates Residence, a five-storey building in the university's west quad, at around 2 p.m. Saturday, according to an incident notification on Twitter.

The alarm system alerted the occupants of the residence and all residents self evacuated," a spokesperson for Hamilton fire said in an email.

No injuries were reported.

Flames were was quickly extinguished, but there was heavy to moderate" smoke throughout the building, the spokesperson said. Crews were still clearing smoke as of 3:30 p.m.

Photos from the seen show students milling outside the smoking brick building, and a charred object on the ground.

The spokesperson said a cause has not yet been determined. The Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified, they said.

In a statement Saturday, McMaster said the fire was contained to a third-floor apartment" and the building, a first-year residence, was evacuated as a precaution. The building was reopened Saturday after it was deemed safe.

Water and smoke damage to nearby units is still being assessed," the university said in the statement.

McMaster said a dozen students have been temporarily relocated as a result of the fire. All other students returned to their Bates units.

The university said police continue to investigate.

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