Hamilton firefighters called to two fires at homes Saturday

Hamilton Fire responded to two structure fire calls at homes Saturday.

Firefighters were first called around 3:40 p.m. Jan. 29 to a home on Wright Avenue, south-west of Barton Street East and Wentworth Street North, said assistant deputy fire chief Steve Welton.

Residents were already safely outside the home, without injury, when emergency services arrived. Crews found a fire in the kitchen that was extinguished before it could spread to the rest of the home.

Damage is estimated at more than $200,000, Welton said, adding that the cause was unattended cooking.

The residents did the right thing by immediately exiting the home and contacting the fire department," he said.

Hours later around 10:15 p.m. firefighters were called to a residence on Dundas Street East, near Evans and Kerns road.

The initial report of a structure fire was downgraded when firefighters arrived and found that the fire - and damage - was confined within the home's chimney, Welton said.

No one was hurt.

Welton said the fire is a good reminder for all homeowners with chimneys to ensure regular maintenance."

Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com