Hamilton city worker helps in house fire rescue

Fire Chief David Cunliffe says a Hamilton Public Works employee assisted in the rescue of two people from a fire early Wednesday morning in city’s east end.

Hamilton fire received a call around 7:12 a.m. reporting a structure fire from a Public Works employee for the city, who was in the area waiting for a bus.

The Public Works employee had noticed some smoke in the area and rushed to find the house at 12 Cope Avenue, between Main Street East and Dunsmure Road on fire.

After learning an occupant was inside the burning home, the Public Works employee made several attempts to drag the trapped occupant toward the front entrance.

Firefighters took over when arriving, locating the individual in the hallway and removing them from the home.

Information was provided that there was another occupant on the upper level. Crews made their way up the stairs where they located the occupant and removed them to the exterior of the home, where medical care was provided.

While this was happening, the incident was upgraded to a multiple alarm and additional crews had entered the house to initiate firefighting operations.

Crews say the fire was brought under control in about 20-minutes and the three occupants were transported by Hamilton paramedics to hospital.

The conditions of the three occupants are unknown at this time and the Public Works employee was also assessed by on-scene paramedics.

A firefighter injured while involved in the upper floor rescue was transported to hospital for treatment and has since been released.

Damage to the house is estimated to be around $500,000.

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has been notified and is responding to assist in the investigation.

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