Hamilton house has $1M in damages after fire sparked by lightning strike: fire department

A Hamilton firetruck is pictured in this undated photo.

A house in a rural part of Hamilton has been significantly damaged after catching fire following a lightning strike on Thursday morning, the local fire department says.

Hamilton Fire Department (HFD) said just before 7 a.m. they were called to a residence at 484 Ofield Rd., near Hwy. 5 in the community of Greensville, which is roughly 12 kilometres northwest of Flamborough.

“On arrival crews reported a large one storey house with heavy smoke and flames visible through the roof. Immediately the incident was upgraded to a multiple alarm, bringing additional crews in from across the City,” Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe said in a news release.

“Firefighters entered the building with multiple hose lines to initiate fire suppression operations. They were supported by additional firefighters deployed via aerial ladder to open roof and assist in extinguishment.”

Several tankers were needed to shuttle water to the scene due to the home’s rural location, Cunliffe said, adding all residents got out of the residence prior to their arrival and no injuries were reported.

Cunliffe said crews remain on scene and are working to extinguish hot spots following this “very stubborn attic/roof fire.”

Damages are pegged at around $1,000,000. The Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified due to the potential dollar loss.