A residential fire in Hamilton early Monday morning resulted in more than $6 million in damages but no injuries were reported, officials say. The fire broke out at a townhouse complex on Echovalley Drive, near Mud Street West and Paramount Drive, at around 4 a.m. Hamilton Fire Chief David Cunliffe said when crews arrived on scene, flames were as high as 40 feet in the air. “When the crews arrived, the unit to the west was fully involved and was spreading very quickly,” he said Monday. Six units were impacted by the fire, he added. “The fast-moving fire was being driven by the strong prevailing winds through the adjoining units to the east. Additional firefighters were deployed inside the adjacent units to perform search and rescue and to work to cut off fire spread and extension,” a news released from the fire chief read. “Embers from the involved units were also being blown onto the section of units directly behind the involved units (and) additional hose lines were deployed to protect that section and stop fire spread.“ One firefighter was taken to hospital as a precaution due to smoke inhalation. A spokesperson with Hamilton Fire said the Office of the Fire Marshal will be attending the scene and there is nothing to suggest the blaze is suspicious at this time. “Occupants in the six units at the time of the fire are all accounted for,” the news release continued. “The fire has caused significant damage to the involved units, including some structural damage.” Damages, the chief said, could be upwards of $7 million. “In addition to the involved units, this amount also includes several vehicles (that) were destroyed or damaged as a result of the fire,” the news released read. Displaced residents found accommodation on their own, the chief said.
