Two house explosions shake Hamilton, send three people to hospital

Two suspected home explosions in Hamilton on Thursday morning have left three individuals hospitalized and caused significant damage to the affected properties, according to firefighters. Hamilton Fire Chief David Cunliffe stated that both incidents are currently under investigation, as the Office of the Fire Marshall is on scene to determine the cause of the explosions. The incidents are separate, he emphasized.

The first blast occurred just after 7:30 a.m. at 182 Springside Drive on Hamilton Mountain. The garage exploded, causing the house to collapse and igniting a fire. A victim in the garage at the time of the blast suffered serious burns and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The explosion was so intense that it was felt at three fire stations throughout the city, with people calling from various locations. Cunliffe noted that the blast was particularly significant, with neighbors reporting calls from afar.

Two neighboring homes were also severely damaged, though no one else was injured. One of these homes experienced the blast traveling through the kitchen, resulting in extensive debris. Cunliffe described the area as having a "very significant" debris field.

Around 9 a.m., another suspected home explosion happened in Hamilton's east end at 8 Lampton Place. Upon arrival, fire crews found a structure fully involved in the fire, sending a large plume of smoke into the sky. Neighbors managed to rescue two residents trapped inside the burning house. One of these residents was hospitalized in serious condition with burns, while the other was stabilized with burns as well. One adjacent home was damaged by the fire, with its damage valued at approximately $750,000.

Cunliffe mentioned that there were reports of a gas odor preceding the explosion, but the cause remains under investigation. The cause of each incident is currently under investigation by authorities.