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A tragic incident unfolded in Hamilton, Ontario, where a three-alarm apartment fire claimed the lives of two children and an adult. The fire erupted shortly after 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Eastwood Apartments located at 35 Brock St.
The Hamilton Fire Department responded swiftly, with Fire Chief David Cunliffe detailing the harrowing scene that greeted firefighters upon their arrival.
Firefighters face extreme conditions
Upon reaching the site, firefighters encountered intense flames and heavy smoke billowing from a second-floor apartment.
Chief Cunliffe reported that the conditions were dire, with smoke rapidly filling the stairwells and hallways. Firefighters undertook multiple rescues, assisting numerous residents trapped in the smoke-filled corridors. “When additional firefighters reached the fire apartment, they were met with high heat, heavy smoke, and flames that had filled the hallway,” Cunliffe stated.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the firefighters bravely pushed into the apartment to extinguish the blaze.
Casualties and hospitalizations
In the aftermath of the fire, it was confirmed that three individuals lost their lives, including two children and one adult. Hamilton Paramedic Services Superintendent David Thompson reported that a total of 13 people were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
Among these, one patient was later pronounced dead, contributing to the tragic toll of the incident. Four individuals were reported to be in serious condition, while the others were stabilized. The ages of those affected ranged from a one-month-old infant to a 77-year-old adult, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the tragedy.
Community response and investigation
In response to the disaster, the Canadian Red Cross has been activated to assist tenants in need of shelter. Additionally, the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has been called to investigate the cause of the fire.
Chief Cunliffe confirmed that over 60 firefighters participated in battling the blaze, with 20 paramedic units responding to the emergency. The community is rallying to support those affected, as the investigation seeks to uncover the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.
