Floors crashed through building during fire

FRIDAY, DEC. 21: Floors crashed down on top of each other as flames ripped through the old Canadian Hotel, fire chiefs revealed last night.

Dozens of firefighters fought to confine the blaze that caused widespread damage inside the derelict building and sent thick, black smoke billowing into the night sky in Hamilton.

Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Lloyd Burchall, told the Sun that investigators were looking at all possible causes, including arson.

And he confirmed that there was evidence in the building that suggested vagrants had been using it as a home prior to the fire.

Mr Burchall added: “When we arrived at just after 10:15pm there were little flames shooting through the roof. The fact that this building has been derelict for some time meant there were extra challenges for us.

“A lot of the doors had dead locks and the building was like a maize of wooden floors and stairways — some of which had been burnt away by the fire. There was also a lot of debris in the walkways.

“We initially tried to enter the building from the Court Street side but the floors were burnt away so we had to revert to using the aerial ladder to control the flames and entering via the Reid Street side.

“We also encountered problems with floors pancaking on top of each other due to the heat and the flames.

“It was dangerous for the firefighters but this is what we are trained for.”

Firefighters spent nearly six hours fighting to contain the blaze and stop it spreading to neighbouring structures. Around 10 officers used breathing apparatus to gain entry to the building and crews used water hoses to douse the flames.

Fire officers and investigators returned to the scene yesterday morning to do a final sweep of the structure.

Mr Burchall confirmed that there was no evidence to suggest anyone had been injured as a result of the blaze.

He said: “We are keeping an open mind to possible causes at the moment and looking at all possible causes. Deliberate ignition is one of the causes we are looking at.

“The severe damage was mostly confined to the core of the old Canadian Hotel and we are obviously pleased that we were able to confine the blaze to this one structure.

“Neighbouring buildings only sustained very minor damage.”

The area around the old hotel was cordoned off yesterday morning and one lane of Reid Street leading up to the intersection with Court Street remained closed for the day causing severe traffic congestion on the way into Hamilton.