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Early morning blaze disrupts local businesses
In the early hours of Easter Sunday, a fire erupted at a strip mall on Upper Ottawa Street in Hamilton, causing significant damage to multiple stores. Fire Chief David Cunliffe reported that emergency crews received the call shortly before 3 a.m.
and rushed to the scene. The fire reportedly started in a hair and nail salon, quickly spreading to adjacent units and triggering a series of alarms.
Extent of the damage
As firefighters battled the flames, it became clear that the damage was extensive.
The hair salon was completely destroyed, while three other units suffered varying degrees of damage. The fire also compromised the roof truss structure above the initial point of ignition, raising concerns about the integrity of the entire building. Cunliffe stated that the estimated cost of the damage exceeds $1 million, a staggering figure that highlights the impact of the incident on local businesses.
Investigation underway
Given the suspicious nature of the fire, Hamilton Police have been dispatched to the scene to assist in the investigation. The Ontario Fire Marshall’s office has also been notified, indicating that a thorough inquiry will be conducted to determine the cause of the blaze.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, local business owners are left to ponder the future of their establishments, many of which are vital to the neighborhood’s economy.
