A number of homes were evacuated in Hamilton’s city centre on Monday after a call was made to Hamilton Fire related to an unusual odour.
Emergency crews were dispatched to Mary Street, between Barton East and Cannon streets, just before 10:00 a.m. for an investigation.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a “petroleum-based smell” at 238 Mary Street and near a few other residences.
Deputy Fire Chief John Verbeek told Global News Radio that the incident was then upgraded to a “Hazmat response” which dispatched additional fire teams, as well as paramedics just before 10:30 a.m.
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Police and fire crews were seen knocking on doors at a number of homes in the neighbourhood, evacuating some residents to awaiting HSR buses as a precaution.
About 60 homes on Mary Street were evacuated.
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A couple more nearby streets were closed for several hours including Robert Street to Cannon East along Elgin Street.
It was later discovered that the smell was coming from a nearby city sewer system.
Firefighters proceeded to flushed that system while residents waited to return to their homes.
Residents were allowed back in their dwellings just before 2:00 P.M.
Hamilton Fire says the source of the odour has not yet been determined.
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