Update: Arson investigation underway for barn fire in rural Hamilton

A suspicious barn fire closed roads in Flamborough last night.

Emergency crews responded to the fire in a barn shortly after 11 p.m. yesterday (July 30) at 970 Highway 6 in Flamborough, Hamilton Police and Hamilton Fire Department say.

“On arrival, crews reported a barn fully involved in fire,” a Trevor Haalstra, assistant Deputy Chief for the Hamilton Fire Department said in an email. “Crews on scene provided an aggressive attack on the barn fire while others rapidly searched the home for occupants or possible fire spread.”

Fortunately, there were no injuries and no animals in the barn, police say. Damage is estimated at $200,000, Haalstra said.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the barn structure.

But as it is a rural area, there are no hydrants and water had to be transported by tanker shuttles from a hydrant near Highway 6 and Parkside Drive.

The cause has not yet been determined but responding police officers found what they believed could be a fire accelerant.

The Ontario Fire Marshall has been notified. Hamilton Police are investigating.

The property is listed for sale on Realtor.ca.

Police closed Highway 6 in both directions as the Hamilton Fire Department fought the blaze overnight. But the road has since re-opened.

Update: This story was updated with more information from the Hamilton Fire Department.