Workers flee 'suspicious' fire at City Centre

A suspicious fire in a basement level store forced the evacuation of Hamilton City Centre yesterday afternoon. The fire broke out in the back of Liquidation World and created heavy smoke, said Hamilton fire safety officer Bob Simpson.

"It started in the linen section at the back of the store."

Sprinklers in the store quickly extinguished the blaze, he said.

Hamilton City Centre, at James Street and York Boulevard, is the temporary municipal headquarters while City Hall is under renovation. Hundred of municipal workers, store employees and shoppers were forced out of the building.