Hamilton police arson investigators pick up four fires in just over 24 hours

Hamilton police investigators are probing four fires that caused extensive damage to vacant or under-construction properties in just over 24 hours.

No one was hurt in any of the fires, three of which were multiple-alarm blazes, drawing Hamilton firefighting resources from across the city.

Const. Indy Bharaj from the Hamilton police said there is evidence in at least two of the investigations that people were squatting" in the properties. However, the causes of all the fires remain under investigation..

The Office of the Fire Marshal was also contacted in each case, but is not investigating.

The first fire occurred at a vacant property on Sherman Avenue North, at Burlington Street East, shortly before 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Emergency services were then called to 577 Barton St. E. around 4:30 a.m. on Monday. Firefighters found heavy fire in a three-storey, under-construction apartment building. The fire appears to have begun on the third floor, spreading to the second floor, attic and roof.

Chief Dave Cunliffe said crews from the Hamilton Fire Department worked to bring the fire under control in about 30 minutes, but the damage was extensive.

Bharaj said the investigation has revealed evidence of squatting in the building, which did not have hydro connected.

While firefighters were still at the Barton fire, around 9 a.m., the fire department was called to another multiple-alarm fire at a vacant property. This one was at 33 Hess St. S., the former Hush Night Club in Hess Village, where arriving crews found heavy fire" on the second and third floors of the building.

Damage is estimated at around $1 million. Bharaj said there is also evidence of squatting at this property.

Then around 10:20 p.m. on Monday, firefighters were called to its third multiple-alarm blaze of the day at an under-construction, multi-unit residential building at 254 Dundurn St. S. at Charlton.

There are many reasons why vacant buildings, often in disrepair, ignite. But when people are trying to keep warm, you see fires happen," said Don Seymour, Wesley Urban Ministries' executive director.

When you're cold ... your ability to think rationally isn't always in place," he said, adding those without heat might use alternative sources, such as a barbecue or open flame, to stay warm.

With an expected wind chill of -20 C Tuesday night, Hamilton's medical officer of health issued a cold weather alert, which means some libraries and recreation centres will open to those needing to get out of the cold during business hours.

But Seymour said warming centres and shelters can't always accommodate everyone who needs them.

People are taking shelter wherever they can, whether it's in a tent or a vacant building or a doorway," he said. Winter is when it becomes a crisis."

There have been at least three additional fires in vacant buildings, all alleged to have been used by squatters, in just over six months between July and January.

A person was issued two provincial offence notices under the Trespass to Property Act in a July 6 fire at 2399 Barton St. E., near Centennial Parkway North. The building, abandoned for many years, had ongoing issues involving trespassers and transient persons," police say.

A 20-year-old man killed in a Westdale house fire on Sept. 28 was believed to be squatting" on the vacant property at 109 Traymore Ave.

On Jan. 11, a fire caused significant damage to two Ottawa Street North buildings. Residents of the area said the 47 Ottawa house, where the fire started before spreading to No. 45, was known for squatters and drug use.

It's unclear how those three fires started.

Seymour said governments need to develop the political will" to address the crisis. More rent-geared-to-income housing and addiction and mental-health supports are needed, he said.

It's been decades since there's been any real concerted effort by any level of government to build the housing needed for people who are lower income or who have no income," he said. Now, we're seeing it come home to roost."

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