In a heroic act, a public works employee in Hamilton assisted in rescuing trapped residents from a blazing house in east Hamilton before firefighters reached the scene on Wednesday morning. Identified as Paul Toth, a senior customer care representative with Hamilton Street Railway, he humbly downplayed his actions, stating that he was merely fulfilling his duty.
The Hamilton Fire Department responded to a call about a house fire at 12 Cope Ave. near Main Street E. after 7:10 a.m. Toth recounted that while waiting to cross Main Street E., he noticed dense smoke emanating from behind a nearby convenience store. Approaching the source, he encountered a man exiting the house who revealed that the fire department had not been contacted.
Upon calling 911, Toth learned from the man that his wife was still inside the burning house. Without hesitation, Toth entered the house despite the thick smoke obstructing his vision. Miraculously, he located the woman, who had sustained a leg injury, and managed to move her closer to the front door with the assistance of another unidentified bystander who arrived in a black pick-up truck.
Hamilton’s Fire Chief, Cunliffe, praised Toth’s swift actions during a media briefing, affirming that the timely intervention played a crucial role in saving the trapped resident’s life. Firefighters found the woman near the front door upon their arrival, thanks to the efforts of Toth and the unknown bystander.
Following the rescue, firefighters successfully evacuated the remaining occupants from the burning home, with one firefighter sustaining minor injuries during the operation. The injured firefighter received prompt medical attention and has since been discharged from the hospital.
In the aftermath, three residents, including the self-evacuated man, were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Toth, evaluated at the scene for smoke inhalation, declined further medical assistance.
Chief Cunliffe emphasized the significant risk Toth had willingly taken by entering the burning structure, highlighting the immediate danger posed by smoke inhalation. Despite the dangers, Toth remained grateful for the opportunity to assist, echoing the sentiment of community solidarity demonstrated by Hamilton residents in times of crisis.
The estimated property damage from the fire amounts to approximately $500,000. The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office has initiated an investigation with three assigned investigators to determine the fire’s origin and circumstances, with no current suspicions of foul play indicated.