Fire breaks out in former Hells Angels clubhouse in Hamilton

No injuries are being reported following a structure fire at theformer Hells Angels clubhouse in Hamilton.

Fire crews were called to the buildingat the corner of Beach Road and Gage Avenue North early Tuesday morning at around 3:07a.m.

Claudio Mostacci, spokesperson for the Hamilton Fire Department, said the two-storey building was venting out heavy fire and smokewhen crews arrived on scene. The residence east of the building was evacuated, but the fire was contained to the 105 Beach Road address.

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Mostacci said investigators are not considering the cause of the fire to be suspicious in nature.

The fire started between the floor joists between the first and second floor. Eventually, the fired burned through the floor and spread to the second floor.Mostacci said anelectrical issue between the floorscaused the fire.

The original call brought in six units from the fire department, but when the fire threatened a residence beside the structure, an additional four units were called in. Gage Avenue North was closed until just after 6 a.m.

The firewasknocked down quickly, but not before causing around $75,000 worth of damage.

Former home to the Hells Angels

The motorcycle gang was evicted from their clubhouse at the end of January because the owner of the property reportedly owed three years worth of back taxes.

At the time of the eviction, alocal lawyer representingmembers of the Hamilton chapter said the issue was not about the clubpaying rent. Theconflict was between thelandlord and the person who holds the mortgage on the property.

The clubhouse was home to about a dozen Hells Angels members and was shared by a handfulof Red Devils biker gang members.

The Hamilton chapter began in 2005 and is one of 14 in Ontario, saidDet. Staff Sgt. Len Isner, head of the OPP biker enforcement unit. The gang has about 6,000 members world wide.