More than $1 million in damage to Wentworth arena after Zamboni fire spreads

A fire that reportedly started in a Zamboni at the Wentworth arena in Hamilton's west end has left the triple-rink complex with a collapsed roof and heavy fire damage, adding up to more than a million dollars in damage, according to the Hamilton Fire Department.

On Monday morning, firefighters were called to the building, located at the east end of Wilson Street East, because of reportsthat a Zamboni ice-surfacing machine had caught fire. They found heavy black smoke at the back of the arena and heavy smoke throughout the building, and a structure fire on the building's west side, according to a release issued Monday afternoon.

"Based on the heavy fire conditions, the alarm was upgraded to a multiple alarm to support firefighting operations and given the presence of ammonia for ice-making and propane for the Zambonis, the alarm was also upgraded to a full hazardous materials response," said the release, noting aerial firefighting devices were used in the response, as was a drone. More than 50 firefighters were involved.

While the "main body" of the fire, near the Zamboniwhere it started, was under control in about 20 minutes, it was "not before the roof in that area had collapsed and the fire had also extended up into the adjacent roof line," says the fire department. "Firefighters had to open up the roof to get at some deep-seated burning."

Workers in the building were able to get out safely, says the release, but the west section of the building sustained "heavy fire damage", and the rest of it has "significant" smoke damage.

"Based on the amount of damage and estimated dollar loss, the Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified and will be responding to assist with determining the cause," says the release.