A 61-year-old Hamilton man has been charged with arson after a fire Tuesday at a Good Shepherd location in the city’s west end.
The Hamilton Fire Department responded around 6:45 a.m. to reports of an alarm at Mathias Place, a supportive housing program operated by the non-profit.
Smoke was found on the fourth floor, coming from a fire in one unit.
Additional resources from across the city arrived on scene after it was upgraded to a multiple-alarm fire.
Firefighters were able to quickly put out the blaze with the assistance of the sprinkler system. The fire was contained to a single room.
READ MORE: No injuries reported after house fire in Hamilton’s east end
Alectra cut off hydro to the building after the sprinkler system caused flooding on multiple floors.
A spokesperson for Good Shepherd says the 26 displaced residents are being accommodated at another supportive housing complex on Aikman Avenue until Saturday.
Twenty-six residents are currently not able to return to their units, but Good Shepherd is making arrangements to house them at other locations.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and no injuries have been reported.
There is no estimated cost of damages yet, however, Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe says it’s expected to be significant.
Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified.