The Hamilton Fire Department says 23 homes under construction were destroyed in four alarm fires in the east mountain on Monday afternoon.
The fire started shortly before 4 p.m., forcing police to close the Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway between Rymal Road and Highland Road West, where Central Park development was located.
See for the first time the HFD crews at Rymal & Red Hill. Roads will remain closed. #StrongForYou #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/4ddLzj2ytK
– Hamilton Fire Department (@HamiltonFireDep) July 11, 2022
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“Strong southerly winds were fueling the flames … shooting 30 to 40 feet in the area and moving rapidly north of the development site to the rows of occupied houses across the street “Chief Dave Cunliffe told Global News in an email. .
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Cunliffe said the fire was so hot that the siding of some of the new houses melted and the windows shattered by the same heat.
Read more: $ 1 million in damage after Sunday morning fire in Hamilton’s Winona Park area
“At the height of the fire, radiant heat began to set fire to the balconies in the backyards of the north-facing houses and in the back of the row of adjacent houses immediately behind them,” Cunliffe said.
About 70 firefighters battled the blaze for about 45 minutes, pointing the flames to the balconies to prevent them from spreading to nearby homes.
HFD crews operating in the Rymal and Red Hill area. The roads are closed. Teams will be operating on the scene for a while #StrongForYou #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/T13GI1zdRQ
– Hamilton Fire Department (@HamiltonFireDep) July 11, 2022
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In all, the site suffered damage estimated at $ 10 million related to 23 units destroyed, heat damage to 12 occupied homes, as well as damage to several parked cars and construction equipment on nearby streets.
No injuries were reported.
Residents of several houses in the busy area were able to return Monday night.
The Ontario fire department has been notified and is expected to investigate the cause along with the help of Hamilton police.
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