By Canadian Press

Four dead, including two kids, after Hamilton house fire sends six people to hospital

Dec 30, 2022 | 8:37 AM

HAMILTON — Four people, including two kids, are dead after they were pulled from a house fire in Hamilton on Thursday night, the city’s fire department said.

The two adults and two children died in hospital after firefighters found them on the second floor of the burning townhouse, Hamilton fire Chief Dave Cunliffe said at the scene Friday.

“They did everything they could through very difficult conditions,” he said of emergency crews.

“It is very difficult when we bring people out and they, unfortunately, succumb to their injuries.”

Two other people inside the home in the city’s southeast neighbourhood were also taken to hospital where they were in stable condition, Hamilton police said in a statement early Friday morning.

new mayor

Spring Mayoral by-election called in Ladysmith

9h ago

holiday check stops

Nanaimo motorists shine during province-wide crackdown

12h ago

targeted job action

Striking Nanaimo postal workers disrupt Purolator operations

15h ago

Crews were called to a townhouse just after 11 p.m., and upon arrival firefighters could see heavy smoke and fire coming from the front and back of the unit, the fire department said. 

The first crew to arrive was told there were people trapped on the second floor, the fire department said

Crews were met with fire, heavy smoke and high heat as they pulled out four people from the second floor, the chief said. 

Firefighters and paramedics started life-saving measures on the four people, including two children, before they were taken to hospital. Life-saving measures continued there, the fire department said, but all four died from their injuries. 

Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating and the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of the damage, has not yet been determined.

“I’d like to express our condolences on behalf of the Office of the Fire Marshal to the family, friends and to the first responders all involved in this situation. Very tragic situation,” said deputy fire marshal Tim Beckett. 

Police did not immediately confirm the victims’ identities, the relation between them, or details about the other two people who were found inside. 

Residents evacuated from the two adjacent units Thursday night and could return to their homes Friday, police and fire said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 30, 2022.

The Canadian Press