Hamilton home fire causes $600K in damages, lithium batteries suspected

The Hamilton Fire Department says lithium batteries are the suspected cause of a multiple-alarm house fire in Upper Stoney Creek that caused about $600,000 worth of damages.

On Friday at around 9:52 a.m., crews received several calls for a structure fire at 39 Lexington Ave., between Soho Street and Columbus Gate.

An emergency vehicle reported seeing a large smoke plume in the distance.

The first arriving emergency vehicle reported a two-storey home with a fully involved garage fire with heavy fire and smoke, extending up the front of the home, with an exposure to a neighbouring house.

Firefighters say the alarm was quickly upgraded to a multiple alarm, bringing resources from across the city to the scene.

As crews worked to extinguish the fire in the garage, at the same time another crew entered the home, encountering heavy smoke, performing search and rescue and to check for extension of the fire.

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Fire crews say the main blaze in the garage was brought under control within 15 minutes but not before the garage area was gutted by the fire.

Firefighters were able to limit the amount of damage from fire extension into the home at 36 Lexington Ave. and to the neighbouring house.

Crews say a total of five people live in the home and those that were at home at the time of the fire were able to self-evacuate before firefighters arrived.

Several e-bikes and a large quantity of lithium-ion batteries were in the garage at the time of the fire.

Fire officials say no injuries have been reported and occupants of the home have made alternative living arrangements.

READ MORE: Hamilton house fire leaves $100K in damages, no injuries