Careless smoking blamed in Hamilton highrise fire

Officials are blaming careless smoking for a fire that destroyed a seventh-floor apartment unit near Gage Park.

Just before 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, firefighters were called to the building on Cumberland Avenue,  where they found heavy fire and smoke on the balcony of a seventh-floor unit.

Fire officials say the blaze spread into the apartment and caused $70,000 in damage.

Two men who were in the apartment managed to escape unharmed.