A business in Hamilton’s east end faced a devastating blaze Sunday afternoon and while none were reported injured, the owners say it’s a “total loss.”
Hamilton firefighters responded to a fire at around 3:30 p.m., where smoke was reported to have been streaming from above the comic book store Nerdcore at 211 Ottawa St. North.
First-arriving firefighters confirmed that an extensive fire located at the rear of the property, was fully involved and rapidly spreading into the roof area.
The Hamilton Fire Department says wind conditions at the time of the fire contributed to the fire’s spread.
The alarm was upgraded to bring additional resources from across the city to help with fire suppression operations.
They told CHCH News that all occupants were safely outside with no injuries to report.
Fire crews closed off Ottawa Street North in both directions between Cannon Street and Campbell Avenue during firefighting operations.
Total damages are estimated to exceed $1 million, and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified.
The owners of Nerdcore posted on Facebook Sunday evening saying around 99 per cent of their stock was “completely destroyed,” along with the back of the building.
The back of the Nerdcore business after a fire tore through the building on April 5, 2026 (Nerdcore/Facebook).
“We were only able to retrieve a few personal belongings and a small number of items from the store — everything else has suffered significant smoke or severe water damage,” reads the post. “Total loss.”
Damage from the fire is reported to have impacted both units 209 — the Sushi Azuki restaurant, and 211 Ottawa St. North.
The HAMBRGR restaurant next door posted on social media that it will also be closed until further notice, because of the aftermath of the fire — like due to smoke and water damage.
The owner of Earls Court Gallery, the art gallery next door to Nerdcore which houses historical Canadian artwork, told CHCH News that it sustained minor smoke damage and two smashed glass doors at the front of the building.
Firefighters had used those doors to gain access to the alley behind the building.
“We wish to thank the Hamilton Fire department for their outstanding efforts that left us relatively unscathed,” said Bob Daniels, the owner of the Earls Court Gallery in a statement. “Things could have been a lot worse. We also feel for the tenants who lost their home and possessions.”
The cause of the fire has not been determined yet.
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