11 people taken to hospital, 24 rescued after fire at YMCA Hamilton's transitional housing

Almost a dozen people taken to hospital were among 24 rescued, officials say, after a fire at the YMCA's transitional housing residence for men.

Of 11 people sent to hospital with injuries, two remain in critical condition, Hamilton police said on social media Monday. 

The downtown residence provides 210 men with short-term affordable housing, the YMCA's website says. It supports "men at risk," who face health and social challenges. 

Hamilton Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe said in a press release late Monday afternoon people wouldn't be let back into the building Monday night and the fire caused an estimated $1 million in damages. 

Cunliffe said crews were called, just after noon, to the building at 79 James St. S. 

"As crews entered into the building to investigate they found smoke on the second floor and immediately upgraded the alarm to a multiple alarm fire," the release said. Crews determined the fire was on the third floor, with heavy smoke on several floors.  

Cunliffe said firefighters found numerous people inside that needed to be rescued and many others were hanging out of windows on multiple floors. "Three aerial ladders were put into operation to rescue residents from windows," the release said. 

Cunliffe said among the 24 people rescued, five were rescued from windows by firefighters using aerial ladders.

The third floor suffered "significant fire damage" while the third, fourth and fifth floors suffered "significant smoke damage," the release said. 

Cunliffe said, at the "height of the incident," there were 65 fire personnel on the scene. The Office of the Fire Marshal had been notified and would be sending two investigators Tuesday, he added.  

The cause of the fire is under investigation, he said. 

Residence plays 'key role:' advocate

By 1:30 p.m. the fire was under control. 

Hamilton police closed off James Street S. between Main and Hunter streets for the investigation. 

"We ask the community to plan ahead and consider alternative routes when travelling through the downtown core to ensure safe and smooth travel," police spokesperson Krista-Lee Ernst said in the afternoon. 

Residents stood outside James Street S. in the hot sun, waiting for an update.

Lyndon George, executive director of Hamilton's Anti-Racism Resource Centre, said on social media that the residence plays a "key role" in supporting residents and noted few YMCAs in Ontario still provide this transitional housing option.

Andrea Horwath, Hamilton's mayor, posted to X, saying she was "deeply concerned" to hear about the fire.

She added she was grateful to know the city's Emergency Social Services Team, Red Cross and other community partners were helping affected residents.