Dog dies in shipping container fire at Wentworth Street North property
A dog has died in an early morning fire in a shipping container at a Wentworth Street North property where police and bylaw busted a pop-up scrap metal business last month.
Hamilton police were called to 468 Wentworth St. N. shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday, May 13 to help the Hamilton Fire Department who extinguished a fire involving shipping containers on the property.
Three people were assessed on scene, but did not require medical treatment. A dog was killed in the fire, police said.
The fire was not arson. However, there was evidence of people living in some of the containers, which is now being investigated by Hamilton bylaw.
Details about the cause of the fire were not immediately clear.
Police attempted to contact the property owner overnight, but he did not attend the scene, said Const. Jerome Stewart.
This is the same property where Hamilton police executed a warrant April 16. Police teamed up with bylaw officers who laid provincial offences charges against the property owner.
READ: Hamilton police and bylaw bust scrap business operating out of shipping containers on Wentworth Street North property
At that time, police allegedly found 14 people living in shipping containers on the property, along with evidence of drug use and $10,000 worth of what police believe are stolen goods. Three people found on the site were arrested on outstanding warrants and another man was charged with breaching a court condition.
READ: Hamilton scrap metal entrepreneurs run business from shipping containers
Hamilton bylaw charged the property owner with multiple provincial offences, including for continuing to operate a non-essential business under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, two licensing charges for operating without a business licence and six yard maintenance charges.
Hamilton police are continuing to investigate the alleged stolen goods. Some goods have been returned to their owners.
The property had been the source of many complaints by neighbours and social services agencies, including Mission Services, who reported being told women were paying to sleep in containers on the site.
Anyone with information about the property can call the Hamilton police division one staff sergeant's office at 905-546-4725.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.
Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com