Hamilton vacant house fire ‘suspicious’

An early morning fire at 1349 Azel Ave. has been ruled suspicious by Hamilton fire investigators after the scene was further processed for evidence early Thursday afternoon.

“The home is a total loss and it is being investigated as suspicious. It was vacant and it was boarded up…” Fire Chief Steve Dawson said.

“When the fire department arrived on the scene, there was heavy fire involved in the basement and it had already extended into the attic,” he said.

Firefighters did not enter the home, he said, because part of the first floor had already collapsed into the basement.

“We spent a great deal of time kind of mopping up hot spots since we had limited access,” he said.

Dawson said there was significant damage caused to the home and it is a total loss.

No injuries were reported, he said.

INITIAL REPORT:

A Hamilton home is a total loss after a fire this morning.

The fire began in the basement of the home at 1349 Azel Ave., according to the Hamilton Fire Department.

The home is vacant, but Hamilton fire investigator Trevor Snider said there are signs of entry from the back of the home.