Crews battle massive fire at former Emerald Lodge Care Facility in central Hamilton

Hamilton firefighters are on the scene after a massive blaze broke out overnight Friday at the former Emerald Lodge Care Facility in central Hamilton.

Officials say the fire started at around 1 a.m. with flames reportedly erupting from the top of the building.

Hamilton Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe said when crews first arrived, the entire third floor was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters were able to search the first and second floors of the building, but were unable to reach the third floor due to structural instability.

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Cunliffe said there were no signs of anyone inside the building on the first and second floors at the time of the fire.

Crews were able to leave the building before the roof collapsed.

Hamilton police blocked off the road at Main Street East and East Avenue South, and at King Street East and Emerald Street North earlier Friday morning.

Cunliffe said Main Street East had reopened as of around 10 a.m., but Emerald Street North will stay closed while firefighters are at the scene.

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He said at the height of the fire, over 50 firefighters were at the scene and 13 apparatus were dedicated to fight the fire.

Cunliffe said significant damages to the building are estimated to be around $1.5 million to $2 million.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

No injuries have been reported.

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Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal was contacted, but they have decided to turn the matter over to Hamilton Police Service if they wish to investigate.

“The province is very busy these days in terms of structure fires, and the Fire Marshal’s office only has so many resources,” Cunliffe said.

Emerald Lodge is a former care facility in central Hamilton. The City of Hamilton had evacuated the building back in 2020 due to unsafe conditions for its residents.

The building has been closed for a number of years since then, with its windows boarded up.

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