House under construction near Mount Hope destroyed by fire

The Hamilton Fire Department’s resources were exhausted Thursday morning as crews responded to a second fire within hours of the first one.

Emergency services were first called to fire at a commercial building on Hendershot Rd. outside of Hannon around 6:35 a.m.

READ MORE: Hamilton fire crews on scene of multiple alarm commercial fire

The department was then notified shortly after 11 a.m. of another fire raging near Mount Hope.

The fire completely consumed a one-storey home under construction at 8192 Airport Rd., with the cause of the blaze being reported as a plumber’s torch.

Hamilton police closed Airport Rd. East between Upper James St. and Miles Rd. for two hours to let crews work.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire within 30 minutes but the structure was deemed a total loss with significant damage sustained. The exterior of the house to the west also received damage.

The house was under renovation at the time of the fire and the total cost of damage is estimated to be in excess of $350,000. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.