The fire broke out at a house in Garden Crescent shortly after 6pm
Hamilton Fire Department (HFD) crews arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the garage and front door.
HFD said several occupants who were able to get away told firefighters a child could still be inside.
“Firefighters immediately entered the house to begin combined search and rescue and firefighting operations. Upon entering, they were immediately met with heavy smoke and extreme heat conditions,” HFD said in a press release.
He added that another crew went up the back of the house and entered the main floor through a window.
“Almost immediately upon entering the home, this crew located the child, who then handed off to a firefighter on the stairwell, who removed him to the ground,” HFD said.
According to Ontario Office of Fire Marshal (OFM) investigator Clive Hubbard, the child, a two-year-old boy, was found lifeless in a second-floor back bedroom.
Hubbard noted that the child was the only member of the family who did not make it out.
Lifesaving measures were taken on the child and the crews managed to recover the pulse.
The child, initially reported to be five years old, was rushed to hospital in Hamilton before being flown to London. Hubbard said the boy remains in life-threatening but stable condition.
The boy’s parents and 12 siblings were also taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. All 14 have been released from the hospital, Hubbard said.
The HFD added that one of its firefighters suffered minor injuries.
According to HFD, the home sustained significant fire damage estimated at between $450,000 and $500,000.
The OFM is at the scene to assist in the investigation into the cause of the fire, which is believed to have originated in the basement.
Hubbard said they found nothing to indicate the fire was suspicious.
He added that he hopes to finish the examination on Saturday so that the house can be released back to the family.
– with files from Beatrice Vaisman
