The fire started just before 4pm and forced police to close the Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway between Rymal Road and Highland Road West where the Central Park development was located. First look at HFD crews at Rymal & Red Hill. Roads will remain closed. #StrongForYou #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/4ddLzj2ytK — Hamilton Fire Department (@HamiltonFireDep) July 11, 2022 Story continues below ad “Strong winds from the south fanned the flames … shooting 30 to 40 feet across the area and moving quickly north of the development site toward rows of occupied homes across the street,” Chief Dave Cunliffe told Global News in an email. . Trending Stories

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Cunliffe said the fire was so hot that windows in some of the new homes melted and windows broke from the same heat.

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“At the height of the fire, the radiant heat opened the balconies to the backyards of the exposed homes to the north and to the rear of the adjacent row of homes immediately behind them,” Cunliffe said. Nearly 70 firefighters battled the blaze for about 45 minutes, targeting the flames on balconies to prevent it from spreading to nearby homes. HFD garages operating in Rymal and Red Hill area. The roads are closed. Crews will be operating on scene for some time #StrongForYou #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/T13GI1zdRQ — Hamilton Fire Department (@HamiltonFireDep) July 11, 2022 Story continues below ad In total, the site sustained approximately $10 million in damages associated with 23 damaged units, heat damage to 12 occupied homes as well as damage to several parked cars and construction equipment on nearby streets. No injuries were reported. Residents in a number of occupied homes in the area were allowed to return on Monday night. The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office has been notified and is expected to investigate with the assistance of Hamilton police into the cause. © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.