Woman in critical condition after fire at 2-storey residence in downtown Hamilton

A woman in her 40s is in critical condition following a fire at a two-storey residence in downtown Hamilton on Wednesday.

Fire Chief David Cunliffe said the fire — at 275 Wilson Street — started at around 4:36 p.m. Fire crews arrived shortly after. 

Cunliffe said in a statement that there was fire on all floors and in the walls of the building when firefighters arrived.

He said firefighters found one person on the main floor and removed them from the building where life-saving measures were performed by both firefighters and paramedics.

David Thompson, superintendent of Hamilton Emergency Medical Services told CBC Hamilton the rescued person was a woman in her 40s. He said she had "injuries consistent with exposure to smoke and fire" and was sent to a local burn and trauma centre in life-threatening condition.

The fire chief also said two cats were recovered and turned over to the Hamilton and Burlington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Cunliffe said the fire was quickly controlled and knocked down but it caused significant damage to the interior of the residence, creating holes through both the first and second floors. 

He said Ontario's Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified and the damage to the residence is estimated to be more than $500,000.