Two buildings destroyed in Ottawa Street Fire

A boarded up house and an empty commercial building were destroyed by an Ottawa Street North fire this morning. At approximately 3:40 a.m. this morning a Hamilton Police Officer on patrol reported a fire in a building on Ottawa Street North between Main St. East and Dunsmure Road. First arriving crews discovered a well involved fire in two buildings, at 45 and 47 Ottawa Street North. Crews reported heavy smoke and fire showing through the roof of the commercial building a 1 ½ storey residential home that had been converted into a commercial building with a 2 storey brick addition at the front and heavy smoke and  fire showing from the upper floor and attic area of the house next door. The alarm was quickly upgraded, bringing resources from across the City to assist at the scene. Aggressive interior firefighting operations were initiated in both buildings, with the fire in the home being brought under control within 20 minutes. Due to the rapidly advancing fire conditions in the commercial building firefighters were pulled out and exterior firefighting operation was initiated. During this defensive operation, firefighters with hose lines in conjunction with two aerial ladders and their large volume water streams were used to put large amounts of water on the fire. Hose lines were also positioned to protect another house that was at risk of the fire. The second fire was out within 40 minutes with the roof caved in on both structures. The cause of the fire is under investigation and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has been notified. Current combined damage estimates are in excess of $1 million dollars. At this time, there have been no reports of injuries to firefighters or civilians.