10 kids and 5 adults escape early morning fire at Queen and Hunter Streets

The Hamilton fire department says 15 people, including a family with 10 kids, were lucky to escape an early morning building fire without injury.

Hamilton fire fighters were called to the Redfan convenience store at 122 Queen Street South at about 4 a.m. Friday morning.

"There was a lot of smoke in this area," said Darren Hong a resident in the area. "I'm glad I wasn't in that building that would have been terrifying." 

Officials say the fire started in the basement of the three-storey building which included the store as well as apartments in the basement and on the second and third floors.  

Claudio Mostacci, information officer for the Hamilton fire department, said when firefighters arrived "A number of people including children were still in the building and could be seen at the windows on the second and third floors. Upon arrival firefighters had to perform a search and rescue on the upper levels." 

"Our firemen had to go up and escort them out of the building," Mostacci said. "They were new to the country and didn't know what to do. It's a challenge for new people to the country to learn about what they need to do if there's a fire and learn about fire safety. It is a challenge to get that message out there." 

The ages of the children ranged from, "toddler to teenager," said Mostacci.

Mostacci said they were able to "knock down the fire quickly" and the cause of the fire was cooking related.

Most of the fire damage was contained on the first two floors while smoke damage remains throughout the home.

No one was injured. The overall damage is estimated at $200,000. 

The Red Cross is helping the 15 people who were living in the building.