A few blog-style notes regarding today’s fatal fire at 35 Brock Street (the Marina Towers).
Cause of the Fire
We need to wait for investigators to determine the cause of the fire.
The speculative comments regarding potential causes are inconsistent with the characteristics of this fire.
Videos captured from nearby show heavy, lighter-toned smoke exiting the apartment, quickly followed by intense, ‘blow-torch’- like flaming out of the apartment.
Hamilton Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe states the fire was “fully involved, very intense” when the first fire crews arrived minutes after receiving the first 9-1-1 calls.
“We had fire blow-torching out of the fire apartment into the hallway.”
I do not have the expertise or experience necessary to state what I speculate to be a probable cause.
Investigators will share information when analysis and forensics provide evidence supporting a theory or theories.
Fire “Separation” and Smoke in the Building
Investigators will determine if there were any Building Code or Fire Code violations involving the building.
As a municipal affairs reporter, I often ask about structural fire containment during apartment fires.
Today, I asked Chief Cunliffe about the Building Code requirement that the structure contain the fire:
The fire was primarily contained to the unit.
However, it did breach out.
It was blow torching into the hall. So the hallway itself sustained significant fire damage.
The first fire rescue crews acted valiantly in their attempt to rescue the three people trapped in the apartment.
The intensity of the fire generated a significant amount of smoke.
At the peak of the fire, multiple stairway doors would’ve been open.
Firefighters accessed the floor with the fire from the stairwells as they tried to rescue the trapped occupants, and residents of the building were entering the stairwells trying to evacuate. This would permit the intense smoke to spread throughout the building.
The cause of the fire is not yet known; again, I do not want to speculate.
I expect fire investigators will release information regarding smoke spreading in the building.
The amount of water required to enter the unit during the rescue attempt resulted in the flooding of the elevator systems.
The Anguish and Toll on First Responders
Arriving at the scene this morning, it quickly became apparent to me I was covering a multiple fatality fire, and that children were among those who lost their lives.
When I arrived, Hamilton Police detectives and Hamilton Chief of Police Frank Bergen were comforting and escorting what appeared to be the victims’ families to a waiting vehicle. They are now being assisted by the police Victim Services Branch.
Senior police, fire, and paramedic officials told me I would need to await an official update from the Fire Chief.
A police constable walked soberly to their vehicle, sat in the seat for a few moments, tilted their head downwards, wiped some tears from their eyes, re-positioned their toque, raised their head, and soberly returned to work.
A paramedic supervisor’s voice shook with emotion as they directed the HSR buses being set up as triage centres.
Firefighters stepping out of the building walked with their faces looking downwards in reflection.
Senior Fire commanders looked upwards at the burnt-out apartment, their facial expressions conveying a shock at what had occurred.
Everyone was doing their jobs professionally, following their training.
The toll will come in the days and weeks that follow.
[Chief Cunliffe says peer supports and other services have been activated for first responders.]
Social Media Groups and Real-Time Information
On scene, I noted that I was reading and viewing information posted to online groups.
I posted to Bluesky that I would share official updates.
The information shared on social media, especially first-hand video and photos, was accurate. There was no dis/misinformation – when it comes to local news, Hamilton’s online communities are good.
In these real-time situations, I see myself as having three primary roles.
- Determining and sharing actionable information [road closures, service impacts, and spreading/expanding public safety concerns.]
- Correcting information I know to be false/incorrect [which is the most challenging role; if I’m in doubt, I have to wait.]
- Relaying official information. [Often, the official information comes much later than the correct info is posted to social media platforms.]
Investigation and Future Updates
In the coming days, I’ll watch for updates from either Hamilton’s Fire Chief or Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg.
If the reason I’m speculating as the cause (or a significant factor in the fire) is the reason, Fire Marshal Pegg will likely be the senior official speaking about the investigation.
I will be following up with the Hamilton Fire Department.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: January 26, 2025
Last updated: January 26, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version