Crews battle massive house fire in Hamilton’s North End

The Hamilton Fire Department says that no one was injured in a massive house fire in the city’s North End Monday afternoon.

Video from the scene appears to show a home located at 35 Hughson St. North near Simcoe Street East engulfed in flames shortly before 1 p.m.

Firefighters say the blaze started in the back of the building and quickly spread through the attic.

“Crews were on the scene, they believe there was a fire that started in the rear of the property that got up into the attic space,” said Troy Miller, the acting district chief with the Hamilton Fire Department. “We were fighting it for a period of time there, and eventually it started breaching the roof, in which case we had to pull crews out and fight it defensively.”

“We believe from what we understand from speaking with the tenants, and with police who spoke with tenants, it started in the back porch area,” said Miller.

A man who lived in the home says he was watching TV when he first noticed the fire.

“There was no smoke in the house. And then I looked at the door, it looked bright red. I opened the door and I slammed it. The door blew open. And by the time I got my dog off the bed, my bed was on fire,” says the man.

The resident says he lost one pet in the blaze, but was able to save one of his cats.

There is no word yet on the estimated cost of damages or cause of the fire.

The building is suspected to be a complete loss, with Miller estimating damages to be at least $1.2 million or more.

Neighbours providing support for residents who ‘lost everything’

Community members quickly responded to help with the families who lived in the home, providing clothes, cash donations, food and much needed emotional support.

Wynne Baker was one of the tenants who lived in one of the units above Charred Rotisserie House on James Street North when it had caught fire in March 2024.

She told CHCH News that when she saw the familiar smoke coming from the building near Simcoe Street East, she went as fast as she could to support the people who lost their home.

“So I just got out and I made sure they knew about the Red Cross and who to call, and helping them out get access to medication and phone chargers and stuff,” said Baker.

Baker said she didn’t know anyone that was affected by the fire, but that she wanted to share the same kindness she received when she lost her apartment to them.

“I think it can be overwhelming, too – I think you’re in the moment you’re just thinking about everything that you’ve lost, and next steps are kind of not a priority,” said Baker. “I think it was helpful for me at the time to have someone standing next to me, telling me who to call, so I just thought it was time to be that person for them.”

This is a developing news story. More to come.

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