Fire marshal investigates blaze at pot dispensary
Provincial fire investigators are looking into the circumstances of an early-morning blaze that gutted a pot dispensary in the east end.
Emergency services were called to 1216 King St. E. near Dunsmure Road, and just east of Gage Avenue, around 5 a.m. Thursday, Const. Lorraine Edwards said.
The building houses three businesses — Trymz marijuana dispensary, Hammer Town Subs and Strictly Redline bike shop — along with apartments above.
Christiaan ter Stege, an investigator with the Office of the Fire Marshal, said a person sleeping in the motorbike shop next door suffered smoke inhalation.
“Right now, our biggest concern was that someone was hurt, and we want to know why,” he said.
Ter Stege said it was too early to say whether the fire is suspicious, but noted the dispensary wasn’t occupied at the time.
“A fire occurring at five o’clock in the morning when there’s no occupants, that’s a concern.”
James Beilhartz, a resident who lives nearby the scene of the fire, said he heard a big bang and the sound of a window breaking early Thursday morning. When he stepped outside, he saw the fire and broken glass on the ground, .
“Yeah,” Beilhartz added, “it’s the weed store. What do you expect?”
Trymz did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. Strictly Redline didn’t respond to a message left via social media.
Ter Stege said Strictly Redline appeared to have minor damage but estimated the marijuana dispensary could be facing $200,000 in repair and cleanup costs.
Hammer Town Subs, empty at the time of the fire, experienced smoke and water damage, according to the fire department.
First responders rescued four people from the building. Paramedics checked them for smoke
inhalation but they refused treatment, a city spokesperson said.
Ter Stege said he contacted the insurance company, which could conduct an air-quality test and determine whether it’s safe for people to return.
The dispensary fire was one of three blazes firefighters tackled across Hamilton between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.
At 6:17 p.m., Wednesday, firefighters
put out a small fire in a two-storey home at 2153 Rymal Rd. in upper Stoney Creek. The home was being renovated. Damage is estimated at $4,000. The cause has been determined to be electrical in nature.
Then at 11:50 p.m., crews were called to a fire in a semi-detached home at 155 Elgin St. between Barton and Roberts streets. Police were also on the scene.
Firefighters were forced out
after entering. A sudden, intense flash fire ignited on the first floor, but firefighters made it out safely, spokesperson Allison Jones said in a news release.
That fire is estimated to have caused about $250,000 in damage; the neighbouring residence had minor smoke damage. Both homes were vacant at the time of the fire. The blaze is considered suspicious and the fire marshal was called to investigate.