No one injured after building collapse in Hamilton’s Gore Park

A vacant heritage building collapsed Monday morning in downtown Hamilton at Gore Park in the King Street East and James Street South area.

Police and fire arrived at the scene just after 6 a.m. and police fenced off the area. The structure is located between a Scotiabank and an RBC Royal Bank, and faces the small urban park.

Witnesses told CHCH News they saw a large dust cloud form after hearing the crash of the building coming down.

The exact time of the collapse is not yet known and no injuries have been reported.

Hamilton fire officials say they were able to evacuate the few people who were inside at the time.

“The involved buildings had been boarded up for some time and we were advised by the property manager that no one should have been in the building,” Fire Chief David Cunliffe said in a statement.

Ward 2 councillor Cameron Kroestch posted on “X” this morning calling the situation “deeply concerning.” He noted the city’s annual Remembrance Day parade went past the building the day before.

He later posted that the building collapse was due to “neglect.”

I just got back from Gore Park where a heritage building collapsed due to neglect by its owners. I spoke with the Fire Chief who said they need to investigate the structure to determine next steps. They have done some fly overs with drones but need to excavate to be sure. #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/DtxjtB5Lsa

— Ward 2 Hamilton (@Ward2Hamilton) November 11, 2024

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath says she is digging for answers to understand how this happened.

“Something like this obviously doesn’t happen overnight,” she said.

Horwath continued by saying she wants the city now to determine how many other buildings could be at risk, so this kind of incident does not happen again.

According to authorities, the remnants of the building will be demolished for the public’s safety as soon as possible.

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