Massive Stoney Creek townhouse complex fire causes over $6M in damage

A devastating fire at a Stoney Creek townhouse complex Monday morning has caused over $6 million in estimated damages.

Everyone was able to get out of the townhouses when the fire boke out. But residents say it was a “full blown panic.”

Hamilton fire crews were at the scene of a townhouse at 23 Echovalley Dr. in Stoney Creek at just after 4 a.m.

Hamilton Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe says first responders saw flames shooting out of the roof of one townhouse and upgraded the situation to a multiple alarm fire.

“When crews were responding, very quickly they knew that this was going to be a big event,” said Cunliffe. “They had flames shooting out of the end unit of this multi-use residential property.”

He said the fast-moving fire was driven by strong prevailing winds through the adjoining units to the east.

“I was sleeping. I heard a bunch of people yelling. I looked outside ad there was flames in the corner,” says one resident.

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Other residents say they heard two explosion-like sounds before the flames broke out

Chief Cunliffe says over 50 firefighters were at the scene to control the blaze, which extended through six units.

He says five of the units are severely damaged including some structural damage to the roof and walls, with the sixth unit also seeing heavy damage in the attic space and roof area. He also said a number of vehicles were destroyed.

The fire chief said the estimated cost of damages to be between $6 million and $7 million.

Hamilton police say they got around 100 calls around the time of the fire, which exceeded the number that operators could take.

Some residents say people were frustrated that they were put on hold when they called 9-1-1.

Others went to the fire station right across the street.

Police say there were about 100 calls about the fire in the space of six minutes, which is more than the call-takers could manage simulaniously.

Authorities say if you call 9-1-1 ad are put on hold don’t hang up, they will get to your call.

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Hamilton Fire posted on social media at around 5 a.m. that crews were at the multiple alarm fire.

Our crews are active on a Multiple Alarm fire at 23 Echovalley Dr. pic.twitter.com/GukFew1LVc

— Hamilton Fire Department (@HamiltonFireDep) March 9, 2026

Hamilton Fire says every resident and occupants of the affected homes are accounted for.

One firefighter was taken to hospital as a precaution for possible smoke inhalation, but luckily no other injuries have been reported.

The Hamilton Street Railway provided a warming bus, while people who were displaced during the fire figured out next steps.

Cunliffe says the displaced all occupants have found accommodations.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall has been notified and is now investigating.

Police have reopened parts of Mud Street from First Road West to Paramount Drive just before 11 a.m., after closing the roads as part of the investigation throughout the morning.

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